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UC and pregnancy

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 6/9/2008 6:14 PM (GMT -7)
I'm curious about UC and pregnancy. I want to start a family in about 3 years and I know I'm going to have to be off Remicade. I read that a lot of women, even in remission have bad flare ups when they get pregnant. I was wondering what others have experienced also I was wondering if any of your children have the disease as a result of you having it?
Posted 6/9/2008 11:18 PM (GMT -7)
hello and welcome to the forum.
there have been several threads about pregnancy here lately.
try this one, it is several pages long so hopefully it will address some of your questions and concerns.
i'm currently pregnant and feeling great. but some women do flare while pregnant. i flared after the birth of my son in 2005. everyone is different but it would still be good to discuss concerns with your GI and ask your OB if s/he has had any patients with UC. it helps if your OB is familiar with the disease.



www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=38&m=709192
Posted 6/10/2008 2:51 AM (GMT -7)
Hi, I did flare during my pregnancy and had to take pred but once things were under control pregnancy was fine and had a healthy son. I do worry about passing this horrid disease on but I didn't get the disease until my mid 20's, same with my brother so hopefully if my kids to get it they will be around the same age and by that time there will be a cure. I try to tell myself not to worry about the what ifs as it might never happen!

Posted 6/10/2008 6:52 AM (GMT -7)
Thank you very much. That's a good way to look at it. Even though I know my parents worry so much about me because of this I'm sure they are happier I exist.
Posted 6/10/2008 7:10 AM (GMT -7)
I was actually diagnosed recently (Oct. 2007), during my second pregnancy. I was 6 months pregnant at the time, but was able to get the flare under control with prednisone. I did flare again about 6 weeks after my baby arrived, and it was a very stubborn one, but finally got it under control. I've heard a flare postpartum isn't unusual - maybe all the crazy hormones! I have 2 beautiful little girls, and although I am scared that they may inherit this awful disease, I am hopeful that they won't, and agree with the previous post - won't it be wonderful if there is some sort of cure by the time they have to deal with it? I'm already planning for my 3rd baby...but I do have to get my husband to agree with that first!
Posted 6/10/2008 7:31 AM (GMT -7)
Remicade is safe for pregnancy. The Gov't has a group that determines different classes for all drugs by how safe they are for pregnancy. Remicade is class B that's good, though they say not to breastfeed. Imuran is class D which means it's only to be used in emergency situations. You can go to fda.gov and look up any drug, over the counter or prescription, and they will tell you how they classsify the drug and why.

My husband and i are looking to start a family next fall. I have done tons of research. My OB already has several women who are pregnant on remicade who are doing really well. I stopped my imuran last week, they say you should be off of it for at least 6 months.

Talk to your GI and OB about remicade and pregnancy. Also about the risks of discontinuing remicade. Many who stopped and tried to start again found they had developed the antibodies against it and were unalbe to ever take it again.

If your ob doensn't know anything about these drugs you may want to find a high risk ob who would know a lot more. My ob has had lots of experience with IBD in his patients so i feel very comfortable.

Good luck in your research!
Posted 6/10/2008 8:13 AM (GMT -7)
I breifly asked my GI and she said that she wouldn't want me on remicaide while prego. I don't want to be off Remicade becasue it's pretty much last resort and it's working and to stop taking it and then start it up and have it not work and have a baby to care for...i couldn't handle that. so i would prob want to continue taking it. i'll have to look more into it. thanks for the advice.
Posted 6/10/2008 8:36 AM (GMT -7)
We ended up using a surrogate for multiple reasons, but my doc always told me that however you are going into the pregnancy is usually how you will be throughout the pregnancy. So try to get into remission before getting pregnant and there is a good chance you will remain that way throughout the pregnancies. No guarantees of course. Good luck to you - I know you must be excited!!!
Posted 6/10/2008 12:30 PM (GMT -7)
it'll prob be a good 2-3 years but yea. a healthy baby and non difficult pregnancy would be great. so the researching starts now.
thanks for the advice
Posted 6/10/2008 5:10 PM (GMT -7)
my doc said a third of women stay in the same, a third of women get better and a third of women get worse. unfortunately i'm in the latter group. but there are a lot of things you can do to deal with a flare while pregnant. there was a woman on this forum who said it best...no matter what happens just try and enjoy it. i'm currently dealing with a flare and have been for 2 mos, and am 7 mos. pregnant. the people on this forum have been incredible with advice and words of wisdom and i just try to remember that everyday to be thankful that i have life growing inside my body (no matter what other bad stuff is going on there too :) good luck with everything!
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