I'm still learning how to deal with my CD & now I'm pregnant.

Hello! I'm so glad to have found this forum to talk to people that are going through or have went through what I'm experiencing. To start off, I am 27 years old and I have been diagnosed with Crohn's Disease for 2 years now. I actually found out I had CD on Christmas '08 after suffering from abdominal pain and losing 20 pounds in a 3 month period. Finally I ended up in the ER on Christmas Eve after passing out, and ended up being hospitalized for 2 and 1/2 weeks. At first I was terrified to find out that I had CD and scared for what the future would hold. But since then I have gradually learned to accept it and learn how to cope with it on a day to day basis. I really haven't had any horrible flare ups since I was first diagnosed except this past Labor Day. I started getting sharp pain on my right side and went to the ER and found out that I had appendicitis due to a flare up of my CD. That was fun. Now 3 months later I ended up back in the ER (it's fast-becoming my 2nd home) with abdominal pain only to find out I'm pregnant. That was a shocker. I am extremely happy for this great news but also extremely scared. Before I only had to worry about myself but now every decision I make and every food I choose to eat affects my unborn baby. I only know a few other people with CD but I don't know anyone with CD that has been pregnant. My GI wants me to stay on my meds which are Azathioprine and Folic Acid. I don't have a problem with staying on the Folic Acid since that helps my baby but I'm not so sure about the Azathioprine. My online research shows that it can be extremely harmful to the baby, including birth defects and fetality but my GI says that if I don't take it I risk having a flare-up which can result in losing the baby. What wonderful options huh? Luckily I have a wonderful boyfriend and family that support whatever decision I make. So I'm really hoping somebody in this forum has been in my shoes or has some insight that they would like to share. Thanks for listening (reading) and I hope to hear from you.

I have not been in your situation but, at one point I thought about having another child and discussed pregnancy with my GI doc. He said that many women go into remission when pregnant, maybe you will be one of them?

Maybe start drinking boost or ensure on a daily basis to make sure you are getting enough nutrients?

Congrats! Having a child has been the biggest blessing in my life, truly being a mom is a wonderful thing.

Welcome Jess, we have a user ManzyB who is a preg chroner right now as well. I'm sure she'd love to chat with you!! Good luck!!

Thanks Nica & Dexky! I knew I would love this forum! Taking Ensure is a great idea especially because I really have no appetite and I definitely want to make sure I am getting enough nutrients. And I am going to try to find ManzyB to chat about being pregnant while dealing with Crohn's. Thanks for the suggestions & support!!

Jess
Anytime! Have you found an ob/gyn who has experience with IBD or other immune system disorders? I think that would be up on my list as well. Perhaps they can suggest the best meds for you and your baby?

I haven't met with my OB/GYN yet because I literally found out I'm pregnant a few day ago but I have an appointment scheduled. I'm not sure if she is familiar with IBD but I guess I'll find out. But I did find a hospital near me, via my extensive website research,that has a team of GI's, Nutritionists, Researchers, Psychiatrists & Nurses that specializes in IBD so I have an appt scheduled with them as well. I'm anxious to see what they have to say. As you can probably tell I'm trying to get educated in this in every way possible.

Congratulations! I too hope you are one who goes into remission while pregnant (like I did)....you can see my little bundle in my avatar - who is now almost 6!.....

Thank you Pasobuff!! Your baby is beautiful! I hope I go into remission too! So far so good...I will keep you all posted

You are very welcome!.....and thank you - we think she is beautiful too...lol....

Hey Jess, nice name.

My doc and I are in the midst of changing my meds. So, he wants me to talk to an OB since I want to have kids in the next 5 yrs or so. This way I know about what meds and stuff are okay and what aren't. He told me I had to talk to a high-risk OB. So, they have to be in some Maternal-Fetal medicine and called a perinatologist. I had to know this so I knew what kind of specialist to look up on my insurance page to make sure they're covered.

That's about all I have unfortunetly. I wish you the best and congrats!
<3

Well I had my 1st prenatal appt today & it went really well! It looks like I am 5 weeks prego so it's still too early for an ultrasound but so far so good. My OB said technically I have a high risk pregnancy so there will be more appts then normal, which is okay with me. And for those wondering, I finally decided to stay on my meds, Azathioprine & Folic Acid. I figure the benefits outweigh the risks for both me & my baby. So now I just have to take it easy, eat right, don't allow myself to get stressed & wait for my next appt. Thanks everyone for your imput & support!! I'll keep you posted

Glad to hear it went well!

Glad to hear about the great news! <3

Jessica,
I saw you were looking for a doctor and live in Florida. My son is the one with Crohn's, but he was a high risk pregnancy for me (all my kids were because of an incompetent cervix) My perinatologist, who was FANTASTIC, moved to florida. His name is DR. James Thorp. He is a smart, very skilled doctor with a good heart. My kids wouldn't be here if it weren't for him.
He's at Sacred Heart Women's Hospital in Pensacola.