Remicade during pregnancy

my last remicade was 7/24, so I haven't had it yet and my next one is 9/20.

---

UC Pancolitis: dx'd 2000; Remicade since 4/25/11, every 8 weeks. Kidney Disease (Minimal Change Disease): dx'd 2007 caused by 5ASA's (thank you sulfsalazine, lialda and asacol). Current meds: Remicade & prenatal vitamin. I feel better than I have in years being off the ton of medication I was on before.

You actually shouldn't have an infusion after 32 weeks typically so that as much of the Remicade is as out of your system as possible (and therefore out of the baby's system). I just had a baby 7 weeks ago and did Remicade the whole pregnancy. She is doing wonderfully, although she was small. I had my last infusion at 29 weeks (just the way the dates fell - I actually stretched slightly with every 8 1/2 weeks) and then had a c-section at 37 weeks so I could get the infusion on time (the day after the c-section while I was still in the hospital). I had to do a c-section because I have an unhealed RV fistula with a seton in it.

That having been said, it depends on where your dates are for your infusions and how your disease is. I start getting symptoms a couple of days before infusions, so I really couldn't stretch it out much once I got to that 37 weeks. Especially with twins, who won't come on time most likely, you will just need to coordinate with your GI very carefully. If they do come early, though, it's not the end of the world. My GI said that she's had patients get infusions even two weeks before delivery. It just mean the baby has a weaker immune system at birth.

As for my baby, we just won't give her any live immunizations until she is 6 months old and we've been very careful not to go out in public for the first 2-3 months as precautions. In all other ways she's been extremely happy and healthy!

Congratulations!!!

Oh, and if you're planning to breastfeed, Remicade is totally safe. The molecules are too large to pass through to breastmilk (according to infantrisk.org)

---

CD 2010, Fistula, Pancreatitis, C. Diff.
Current: Remicade
Previous: Prednisone, Imuran, and Asacol

"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." John 16:33