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I went to the doctor on Friday and my OBGYN stated that it would be best to have a C-section than vaginal delivery due to people with UC and Crohn's having rectum issues and our rectum would tear easier.  He said it's best to recover from the stomach versus the buttox.  Ladies with UC and Crohn's do you believe it's best to have a C-Section?  The doctors only know so much, but hearing from someone that has experience this would really help

 Reply posted for durango18.

Hi: I had vaginal delivery 4 years after Crohns surgery and it threw me into a 6 month flare. My OBGYN, who wasn't if favor of the second pregnancy said if I ever get the brainstorm to have another baby and he's not my Dr. I should insist on a C section. I've had 2 Crohns abdominal surgeries and 2 babies vaginally and believe me the abdominal's are easier to get over.     Good Luck, Marilyn

 Reply posted for mycrohns.

Thanks for the info-everyone provides so much helpful information.  C-Section it is.  I will start trying to conceive in Jan 2010-wish me the best of luck

 Reply posted for durango18.

I have UC and I also had a c-section. Sometimes a vaginal delivery can lead to problems with hemmoroids and with our condition you don't want to take any chances.

 Reply posted for durango18.

I have Crohn's and had 2 c-sections instead of vaginal deliveries for the same reasons. Because so often disease involves the rectum, and tearing etc. due to child birth is not ideal, I opted for c-sections and stayed in remission during, and after. I figured my bum had been through enough, why antagonize it? Plus, I know from living with this for 19 years that things can snowball....I also took 6-MP during both my pregnancies, and went off one week prior to surgery and one week after. Go for the sections- better safe than sorry.

 Reply posted for vaudry.

Vaudry,

Thanks for the info on the delivery-I would prefer to have a c-section and call it a day especially with all the risks having the baby vaginally with our condition.

Did you have any trouble trying to conceive after coming off the birth controls?  Is there any advice you can give for a person trying to conceive with UC. 

 Reply posted for durango18.

Taking your doctor's advice is probably the best.  I had all my kids (four) vaginally.  My first delivery I had  an episeotomy (sorry, spelling--when you have to be cut) only they didn't cut into the perinium (sp, again) She cut me sideways and gave stitches.  It took forever to heal and I needed pain meds for three weeks or more.  Don't go that route!  My last delivery, the dumb OB, on call, pushed on my stomach to push out as much of the post bleeding he could.  He did this after I delivered the placenta and it was very painful.  I often wonder if this didn't attribute to my worst flare ever six months later??
I wonder why any of my doctors didn't reccomend a C-section???  But then I wasn't officially diagnosed in the state I lived in until I had that flare.  Strange huh?  Take care of yourself!

 Reply posted for durango18.

I do not plan to have children.  Not because of my disease, but because it has never been a desire for me.

Life is wonderful without a colon.  Before UC, I was very active.  UC took that away from me.  My UC was universal and severe and meds did not control it.

Now, post-surgery, I am back to my active lifestyle.  My ileoanal pullthrough was in May of this year with the ostomy takedown in July.  It was a long summer, but I kept my eye on the final result - feeling  great.

I feel great!  No pain, no blood.  When I feel like I have to go to the bathroom, there is no rush, it just feels normal.  I don't know how many BMs I have each day - but I don't have enough for it to bother me.

I take Loperamide (immodium) every day to help firm up stool and reduce bathroom frequency.  I take two pills per day.  Loperamide use differs with each individual.

I'm so happy with my surgery outcome that I highly recommend it for anyone!

Sincerely,

Angie

 Reply posted for Ang300.

Ang300-do you plan on having any kids?

How does it feel not to have a colon anymore?

 Reply posted for Ang300.

Ang300-do you plan on having any kids?

How does it feel not to have a colon anymore?

 Reply posted for durango18.

Hi!  I don't have children and I no longer have UC because my colon was removed this summer but I may have a piece of info that may be helpful to you.

My surgeon advised me that if I ever decide to have children, I should consider C-section for delivery.  Because, nearly all women who undergo ileoanal pullthroughs and have vaginal deliverys will experience anal leakage and will have to wear pads in their undies for life.

It does not matter if the kids came first or the surgery came first....anal leakage occurs.

Even though you have your colon now, if you ever have to have it removed, you will be less likely to have anal leakage if you delivered via C section.

I hope this is helpful.

Angie