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Pregnancy and Risk


Sat, July 15, 2017 6:07 AM

I'm thinking about having kids...but I have severe Crohn's disease. It's currently in remission, but that could change--my doc who specializes in IBD and is world renowned says it's a 33% chance I will flare. Plus, reading abstracts of research in Google Scholar (as well as CCFA), it looks like it would be considered a high risk pregnancy. Research is showing higher abnormalities, low birth weight, premature birth, etc. and for mothers, higher eclampsia, etc. Also, I'm on Humira and Azathioprine. It all scares me. Going to see a perinatologist in a few months....anyone have any thoughts, knowledge, or reassurances?

FPO flower girl
Joined Mar 26, 2014

Sun, February 18, 2018 11:21 PM

Reply posted for flower girl.

How was your pregnancy?

FPO NicoleBigler
Joined Feb 18, 2018

Thu, October 12, 2017 4:50 PM

Reply posted for flower girl.

I was diagnosed with UC in 2014 and very recently (as in last week) diagnosed with Crohn's Disease.  Since my diagnosis I have had 3 REALLY bad flares to where I can't kick it without hospitalization and 2 of those times were exactly two months after I had my second and then my third child.  
My GI doc did mention that the increase in pregnancy hormones does keep the flares at bay DURING pregnancy and they were right because during my pregnancy, I was healthy and babies were healthy too. Afterwards, though, once you start to regulate and go back to normal on the hormone front...it can cause severe flares.
Having kids (at least two of them) nearly killed me...twice.  


FPO HeyArnold1122
Joined Oct 12, 2017

Fri, September 22, 2017 11:35 AM

Reply posted for tbdesigner.

I have severe crohn's too. Mine went into remission after my second surgery and I was able to have a perfect pregnancy with my first, med free. This time, however, I have been flaring bad since I gave birth to my son a little over two years ago and am still in the process of getting on the right meds. I had just quit azothioprine and 6mp because they were giving me migraines and was attempting to get on entyvio when I got my BFP a couple days ago...I would like to go med free again if I can, but I'm not sure if my crohn's will go back into remission now. I've heard prednisone is one of the better drugs while pregnant because it's less likely to cross the placenta barrier? I go see my GI on Tuesday and will hopefully get more info...

FPO jenn1986
Joined Sep 16, 2017

Fri, August 18, 2017 9:34 PM

Reply posted for flower girl.

Hi! A few years I got pregnant with my daughter. I was on Cimzia and 5-10mg of prednisone throughout my pregnancy as well as while I nursed. I now have a very healthy perfect 2 year old! I have crohns and I did flare a little the first trimester, but steroids (which are ok to take while pregnant) got it under control. 

I just found out last week that I'm pregnant again! This time is a little different. I'm on Entyvio and a low dose of Azathiaprine. I'm scared as well about the meds.....Moreno the Azathiaprine. 2 GI docs and 2 rheumatologists have all told me that it's safe, but everything I read says it's not. You mentioned the same drug....what are you thinking? Since I found out, I haven't taken it. My doc isn't gonna be too happy about that.

FPO tbdesigner
Joined Nov 20, 2016

Thu, July 27, 2017 9:19 AM

Reply posted for flower girl.

According to the article, “Care of the Pregnant Patient with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, (Mahadevan & Matro, 2015), “ Women with IBD have the same rates of fertility as women without IBD unless they have had prior surgery in the pelvis or active disease.  However, women with IBD do have higher rates of adverse pregnancy outcomes”……”The greatest risk to the pregnancy is active disease, which can be precipitated by discontinuation of effective maintenance medication.  Preconception counseling should include education regarding the low risk of most IBD medication during pregnancy and lactation and the high risk of a significant disease flare during pregnancy”.
 
According to the Food and Drug Administration the use of biologic therapy during pregnancy is considered low risk.   There is additional research results available from a study, Pregnancy and Neonatal Outcomes in Women with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (PIANO).   To learn more about PIANO and to get information about the study, contact the IBD Help Center at info@crohnscolitisfoundation.org
 

FPO administrator
Joined Oct 12, 2017

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