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Recto-Vaginal Fistula


Tue, October 20, 2015 9:34 PM

I have been curious for a while how a healed RV Fistula can/has affected ability to get pregnant and pregnancy itself. I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis in March of 2010. After trying various medicines and not being able to get off prednisone without flare ups, incontinence, humira shots (3 total) with no effect, and subsequent pulmonary embolism, I ended up having J-Pouch surgery in February of 2011. A few weeks after surgery while checking pouch healing, we discovered a RV Fistula. At this point my surgeon worried about misdiagnosis and possibility of crohn's. After sending out samples for testing we found the original diagnosis to be correct. Over the next 2 months we rechecked the pouch and over that time the fistula healed, no surgery necessary. This summer I got married and now more than ever am curious what complications if any the healed fistula could pose  to getting/ being pregnant.

FPO anizinski
Joined Oct 20, 2015

Tue, January 12, 2016 1:34 PM

 Reply posted for anizinski.

Wow! I feel like I'm reading my exact same story. The only difference is that my fistulas didn't heal on their own. I have two open fistulas with setons (little rubber ties that help avoid abscess from developing). At any rate, I'm 12 weeks pregnant.  I'll be honest, I had a hellava time getting pregnant but I don't believe it was due to my diagnosis or the fistulas (a story for another day). We did IVF and here we are 12 weeks in.. YAY!

The only thing ALL my doctors recommended was that I'd, without a doubt, have a C-section, which I'm totally ok with. I've had enough surprises in my lifetime so going in on a schedule day with all doctors' hands on deck is totally fine with me. I'd almost prefer it that way. They say that vaginal birth would potentially cause more fistulas or worsen the ones I already have. 

I would assume that your doctors may take that same precautionary road. Although your fistula is healed, there's still a potential that it may reopen given the extreme circumstances. Then again, I'm no doctor so they may be totally ok with it. Just giving you some perspective. 

Betty

FPO cooltampachic
Joined Nov 17, 2008

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