picture of me doing some hunting
Introduction:
Amanda, 31. Diagnosed with colitis in 2011 after a week long hospital stay. Symptoms for about 3 years prior, crescendoing into a maelstrom of blood transfusions and IV drips! Wow! At least the nurses were awesome :)
Some more about me:
Professional lounger :) If one could be paid to lounge, I would be filthy rich. The only thing I stop lounging for is cooking for my family and friends. I put all my energy and love into it. By far, it is my most favorite thing to do.
Symptoms:
My usual symptoms include PAINFUL gas, 5 or 6 trips to the bathroom most days. I’ve been in a mild flare for a few months now. Starting to have more great days (and poops) than not. This makes me feel hopeful and more in control.
Attention MOMS:
A few years ago I became aware that something was wrong with my body. I didn’t have insurance so it was extremely difficult for me to see a traditional good ‘ol USA doctor, even more so to see a specialist. My discomfort, pain and bathroom trips started to ramp up.
A year later I moved home to Atlanta to be with my family and marry a man who I thought would be “there for me” as much as I was for him. As I got sicker and sicker, I also became pretty depressed because I had no real grasp on what was happening to me. I ate clean, I exercised, I drank plenty of water. I collapsed twice at work in two months and finally my mother and father said enough was enough and purchased health insurance for me on the spot. Miraculously, the day after my policy was approved, I went to the hospital again. Unable to move, barely any blood in my body, my father scooped me up and took me to get patched up.
A week, 3 transfusions and a multitude of tests and anal probing, I was diagnosed. I didn’t have much support from the guy I married so I had to kick him out of my life. He was more hurtful than the UC, no bueno. I made a great recovery and I have had ups and downs since. Remind me to tell you about the time I pooped next to my neighbors house and blamed it shamelessly on homeless people…
Fast forward to now: I moved back to California and met an amazing man who accepts me, colitis and all. His support and love and nurturing nature is almost unbelievable. He is my best friend and we want to have a family together.
So, I have a couple questions,
for the mommies out there with UC:
I’m currently trying to conceive! I’m ready!
I am possibly pregnant right now, just waiting a bit longer to test. I wonder how you amazing mamas went through your pregnancies and what you experienced.
I have been finding that there is much conflicting information about how to treat UC while pregnant. Of course, I want to do everything I can to be proactive about my health and the health of my baby. What helped you? What are some of your concerns for future pregnancy? If there are any moms out there that work in a bar or a restaurant, how did you cope with the work load? How long did you work? How many massages did you have? Did your feet EVER RECOVER?!?!
I’m currently taking a full oral dose of mesalamine and suppositories. I take digestive enzymes, probiotics and a great prenatal vitamin. I think mostly that I’m looking for some words of wisdom and encouragement.
Thanks everybody! So much love to you all!!
written by Amanda Floyd
submitted in the colitis venting area
Amanda, 31. Diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in 2011 after a week long hospital stay.
I didn’t develop UC until after my daughter was born. She is three now, and I started having symptoms when she was about 1 1/2. It is tough being a mama with IBD, though. I have days that I really struggle with feeling that I’m not a good mom. Especially on the days that I don’t get to spend much time with her because I’m in the bathroom, or I just don’t feel well enough to play with her. She is such a good girl, though. She has learned how to entertain herself very well, and she will play with her toys on the couch while I am laying down, or we will just snuggle and watch a movie. I am really thankful for her easygoing nature. As a mom, you have to learn what your limitations are, and not beat yourself up for the days when you just can’t clean the house or make dinner. You can’t be afraid to ask for and accept help (and it sounds like you have a great support system). I guess my advice for being a mom with UC is basically enjoy every moment you can with your child/ren, and allow yourself to rest when you need it.
This is a transcript of a webcast from ccfa.org on women’s issues in IBD. There is a lot of good information in it about pregnancy. I would definitely suggest reading it. http://www.ccfa.org/assets/pdfs/ibd-and-she-transcript-pdf.pdf
I have 2 children 6 and 3. I 34 years old and was diagnose with severe UC at age 22. Oddly enough, the 2 times I was pregnant, I was completely in remission. No UC signs whatsoever. Buy, about 4-6 months after each baby was born, the symptoms came back with a vengeance!
Hey Amanda,
I sent you a link to the main pregnancy category via email, but here’s another link from the “Pregnancy Survey” that 107 UC’ers participated in a few months back which might help you out too with some of your questions:
https://ihaveuc.com/pregnancy-and-ulcerative-colitis-107-person-survey-results/
Best to you and the baby (babies:)
-Adam
I just went through pregnancy and delivery 3 months ago with UC! My daughter turned 3 months old yesterday! Prior to getting pregnant I got off meds that weren’t safe during pregnancy and got myself into the best shape possible to have a baby. My UC was controlled the entire time I was pregnant, I was taking Lialda once a day along with my prenatals. My daughter was born 2.5 weeks early and I had to stop the Lialda suddenly because I wanted to nurse. I nursed for about 10 weeks but my UC was flaring the entire time. At 10 weeks I stopped nursing and have been on prenisone and 6 mp since. I think my biggest piece of advice would be to make sure you have a plan in place for your meds during pregnancy and after especially if you plan on nursing. Don’t let your UC get out of control. And remember you have to be healthy to be able to care for your child especially those first few months! Good luck and I wish you a wonderful pregnancy!!
At the end of August, I stopped taking 6mp in hopes of being on as few meds as possible while trying to conceive. My doctor told me that being in a flare is usually worse for the baby than taking UC meds and he told me I had a 50% chance of flaring if I came of 6mp. But, I tried coming off the 6mp anyway, and I did flare- badly! So, now I feel set back and have been waiting for the 6mp to build back up in my system. My plan is to take all the meds that are suggested(6mp and Reemicade) and to get as close to remission as possible before trying to conceive. My doctor was uncomfortable with my trying to get pregnant with only slight UC symptoms. This is the bottom line that I take away with UC and pregnancy: stay on your meds and be as close to remission as possible when trying to conceive.
Hey Amanda,
Yes you have sparked my curiosity about the pooping in the neighbor’s yard incident! Darn homeless people! :-D
I have had UC since I was 20 or so. I have two kids. Both pregnancies were pretty easy, but strangely I began experiencing flares with both right around 30-35 weeks into the pregnancies. I tried nursing for as long as possible, but it seemed like every time they latched on I had an uncontrollable urge to run to the bathroom! Talk about awkward. Try running to the toilet with a baby on your boob!
As soon as I stopped nursing (with both kids), my flares began to calm down, and after a few months I was in remission again. During my first pregnancy I took Asacol, plus a very cool supplement called Shark Liver Oil,from a brand called Master Formulas. You can get it from Vitasalus.org or .com. I learned about it after my diagnosis and took it for a couple of months during a bad flare. It put me into remission,and I stayed that way until I switched brands during my first pregnancy, three years later. I’m no longer taking shark liver oil, but am in remission thanks to the SCD.
Wishing you well,
Nikki
Hi Amanda. I have been dealing with Chron’s for 20 years and was recently also diagnosed with UC. Early on, I was told by multiple doctors that I would never have kids because my body was not strong enough to support a pregnancy. I was given adoption brochures and all kinds of adoption information. I told myself that I would have my own kids and these doctors don’t always know everything. I was diagnosed at age 20, at age 25 I was pregnant. My OB was highly upset with me at first, but as time went on, he could tell I was feeling wonderful and had so much energy. My symptoms completely disappeared and I had a wonderful, happy pregnancy. I did it again at age 29 to the amazement of my doctors. Both deliveries were C-Section and it was fine. Both my girls were healthy and doing just fine. My second was a month pre-mature and required a 3 week hospital stay to allow her to reach 5 pounds, but no health problems. The only complication I had was recovering from the C-Sections. My body does not heal well. My doctors tell me my body is similar to that of a diabetic – not healing well. The first incision opened up on me about a month after delivery and I had to have it stapled again. The second time, the doctor left the staples in for 3 weeks instead of 2 weeks. It was painful to have them removed because some skin was beginning to grow onto the staples, but it worked. The incision was fully closed and healing. Now, a month after my first child, I started having symptoms again. I dropped 80 pounds in 3 months. My doctors wanted to put me in the hospital, but I was able to bounce back. I gained 28 pounds with my first child and 30 pounds with my second. I was completely off of medication during both pregnancies, had no symptoms and tons of energy. It was a great experience. My girls are now 16 and soon to be 13. I wouldn’t change a thing and I am so glad I took a chance. Everyone is different, but I wish you all the best and hope when it happens for you – its just as great! Best wishes and I’m praying for you!
I am 43 and have had UC since I was 19. I have 4 healthy kids ages 7,10,14, and almost 16. Aside from pregnancies, I had never taken maintenance drugs. I started flaring early in my 1st pregnancy and learned my OB/GYN also had UC and was very aware of the meds. He assured me that the Asulfadine (sulfasalazine) I was taking was completely safe for the baby. He also made me realize that if I became malnourished, the baby would be as well. I took the meds throughout the pregnancy and had a most enjoyable time. I worked as a catering director and my son was due on New Years…the busiest season of catering I would look like a whale. I wore high heels and dresses and ran myself to death. I worked up until December 23rd which was our last day open. I delivered December 29th. No massages. Because I worked in a private club the chef would ask me many mornings what the baby was craving and he would bring me amazing food and snacks.
My other pregnancies were about the same with UC. Minor flares very early, Asulfidine or Asacol throughout. I was lucky enough to be a stay home mom after #1. I remember flaring some of the time after delivery but was able to nurse all 4 kids for almost a year each. It wasn’t always easy. I have nursed on the toilet many times (take the carrier with you to put baby in after he’s done). Make sure you nourish your body and stay hydrated.
My husband has often said I was the healthiest during my pregnancies. I felt great. My 1st OB told me that many women secrete a hormone that naturally keeps them in remission during their pregnancies. I don’t know if that’s true but other than those minor flares in the early weeks, I know I felt good.
Sharon
Hi Amanda!
It seems to me that uc symptoms during and after pregnany are different for everyone – a lot of people claim remission during pregnancy, whereas I didn’t even know I had colitis until I was pregnant! I took Lialda starting in my 2nd trimester, and am still taking it a year and a half later. I took prednisone at a low dose late in my pregnancy (trying to get me close to remission before the baby popped out), and it seemed to work. I had a rough pregnancy colitis wise, but my baby turned out perfect! I nursed for over a year, taking Lialda (my drs said it is ok, there aren’t too many studies on Lialda brand, but mescal amine has been around for a long time), and even some prednisone for a little while. Like Nikki, I ran to the toilet with a baby on my boob many times! I was very healthy for the first few months after birth, but I flared very badly about 8 weeks in, which seems pretty common. Being a new mother is very hard and stressful, add in a colitis flare and it’s beyond stressful. BUT! I made it through, and it was absolutely worth it! My husband and parents were indispensable during those winter months when I was on the toilet most of the day, and my baby was tiny enough that she still liked to just lay in bed with me. Hopefully since you have experience dealing with colitis, you can be proactive and have a help network setup in case you need help – well, you WILL need help as a new mother, regardless of colitis, we all do! It’s wonderful that you have a partner who you can depend on, but don’t hesitate to reach out to other friends and family for favors or even just some company in this first few months after delivery. Even if you’re perfectly healthy, you will be tired! I would also recommend talking to your dr now and setting up a plan of action for if you start to flare (during pregnancy and beyond – the plans may be different), so that you can catchit in its early stages and heal yourself before it all unfolds, so that you can give your energyoverto your family’s a while instead ofto your colon :)
Good luck! My healthy baby girl just turned 1, and this has been the most fantastic (and the most difficult) year of my life so far!
So, so good to hear all the positivity! You’re awesome :) It takes a strong mama to balance her needs. And those of an infant. I feel very fortunate to have such great girl friends near me and I wish I could make my family geographically closer! Such amazing love and support, I can’t help but feel a little easier taking this next big step in my life. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
I was diagnosed with UC in 2006, when I was only 17 never thought I would have kids, blah blah blah. Anyway. In 2009 I found out I was pregnant and expected the worse from my doctors, so I was trying to brace myself for them to tell me I couldn’t keep it that there would be too many complications and whatnot. But when I went to my GI Dr he said that most women that are pregnant, the symptoms kind of go in remission. He said the hormones associated with pregnancy helps with UC symptoms and took me off my meds at the time (asacol). He was so right. I was IN HEAVEN! for 8months I was pooping normally, had no pain other than that associated with the little bugger inside kicking my ribs all the time. It was great. By the last month, I started with some flaring. But just the diarrhea, gas, but no pain. So my ob /gyn put me on prednisone (small amount to help with the flare, completely harmless to the baby) and I was good for my delivery. And well, now I have an almost 4 year old that is so amazing and beautiful and it was SO WORTH EVERY MINUTE OF IT!! Good luck with everything, I hope you are pregnant and can experience this wonderful miracle. :-)
Thanks so much! Well, Aunt Flo showed up so I’m not pregnant but that’s ok. We are excited to be feeling responsible enough to even entertain the idea of a baby. Just need more practice I guess :) I’ve definitely heard that our bodies go into baby protection mode which sometimes ends up being the kill switch for our guts misbehaving. Honestly, maybe I’m making it up but these prenatal vitamins are making me feel like a rock star! This could turn into part of my treatment regimen forever! Thank you for replying, all you women are really making me feel the community spirit that I have been desperately needing :)
Hi Amanda,
I was 4 months pregnant with my son when I found out that I had UC. They put me on the steroid and Sulfate which is was a low dosage. I guess so it wouldn’t hurt the baby. He was premature but only by 3 weeks. He was healthy, thank God. He is now 15 and doing well.
Good luck and will be praying for you that everything works out well.
Hey! I didn’t read through all the comments so I may just be parroting what some other moms already said, but I got pregnant while flaring, and I am now 31 weeks and still flaring. (Actually, I’ve been flaring since May 2012… got diagnosed in Feb 2013.) Anyway, my GI had told me that 1/3 of women get worse, 1/3 get better, and 1/3 stay the same. So we figured we had a 2/3 chance of nothing bad happening, haha, and went for it. I pretty much stayed the same. My OB says that actually women who get pregnant while in a flare usually have to deal with it the whole pregnancy, and it’s better to wait until you aren’t flaring to try for a baby. I figure they are saying the same thing, just one positive and one negative. I have to admit that next time I probably WILL try to get to a point of remission first, because pregnancy + colitis was a lot more difficult than I anticipated. But that isn’t to discourage you… just saying, expect to take it really easy the whole 9 months and make sure you take iron supplements in your 2nd and 3rd trimester. (It sounds like you know about blood loss already, but I just had to get 3 units of blood last week because my OB hadn’t checked my RBC since my first trimester, and my count was at 5.9- half of a “normal” level. The baby really sucks up your iron in the last two trimesters! I’m on iron now, and hoping I don’t have to get anymore blood pre-delivery, though the hematologist expects me to need at least 1 transfusion post-delivery.) So if you start to feel even a little tired/out of breath, I’d tell your doctor and REQUEST a blood test if they don’t automatically send you for one… I didn’t realize how weak I had become until after I got the blood and experienced the difference. I thought it was just a normal part of third trimester pregnancy exhaustion.
That’s about all I can tell you! I am on Lialda (oral mesalamine) which is considered safe for pregnancy, so don’t worry about that. I even took steroids for about a month, which are also considered relatively safe in pregnancy (after the first trimester, especially, and when not taken long-term.)
Hope that was helpful! Good luck! Like I said, pregnancy and colitis is a hard combination, but kids are SO WORTH IT! :) (I have a 2 year old… my colitis didn’t show up until after she was 5 months old, so that’s why I can’t tell you what it’s like for nursing, etc.)
Thank you for all the detail about iron depletion. It has been an issue for me before. I guess I too, just got used to feeling tired. It turned into “normal”, yikes! I take chelated iron so it doesn’t make me constipated. That’s the pits. Well, so is being on a toilet 16 times a day, so, yeeaaahh…. Totally inspiring how you went for it, I love to hear stories of feminine bad-assery such as yours!
PLEASE get into remission before getting pregnant. It makes a world of difference! I almost lost my colon and then my life. Next time I was in remission on Cimzia and it has been smooth sailing!!!
I started having symptoms when I was pregnant with my 2nd child…they said oh it is just hemorrhoids. Finally 9 months after I was diagnosed with UC. Over the years had flares and remissions…Finally decided to have child #3. I was ‘okay’ before I got pregnant…meaning smoldering symptoms. But miraculously a few days after conceiving I was great!! It stayed that way until after I had my daughter…no meds for the entire time and felt great!! That was 24 years ago. Not sure how much help my story is…but wanted to share it. Good Luck!! (yes I wanna hear the neighbor story too)
Thank you so much! Reading these stories is definitely boosting my confidence!! I’m happy to know so many pregnancies go so well :)
I havent read all the comments either, so hope not being repetitive. I was diagnosed with mild proctitis prior to getting pregnant. I acheived remission with Apriso then got pregnant. Everything was fine during pregnancy – i took Apriso through pregnancy and while breast feeding. When my son was ~ 11 months old I had a flare so huge that it put me in the hospital and on Remicade. After talking with my GI and OB/GYN recently, they let me know that this is fairly common. WHY DIDNT THEY TELL ME THIS BEFORE? Who knows, would have been good information bc my UC was so mild pre-pregnancy I had no idea what was happening. Apparently when you are pregnant your immune system gives you a break. When the pregnancy hormones finally settle out, an overreaction of the immune system is not that uncommon. So, my advice is be ready to take action on any post pregnancy flares with what ever it takes or you may find yourself weighing 85 pounds & un able to move in the hospital. One year later, I am off Remicade, on the SCD diet (for the most part), back on track with Apriso, & thinking about baby #2 :) Good luck!
That’s amazing! Hopefully, sometime in the not too distant future I will be off the meds too. So much healing to do before that but I’m on my way. Thank you for sharing your experience, serious mood lifter :)
Ok I’m a mom who has been pregnant 4 times with a special needs gut child and UC hubby. Just am FYI- many moms who don’t have UC r low on goof gut flora (probiotics)and vitamin D- I would suggest increasing those(look at vitamin d council web site for more specific info)- have ur ob check ur vitamin d level. Also SCD yogurt with coconut oil is healing and good nutrition. Also B6 is good for any nausea…. And will give you needed energy. Congrats !
My wife have U Proctitise n she delivered 9 months back beautiful n healthy baby so dont worry at all and go on. Just check Folic n Calcium intake with your doctor.
Hello Amanda,
I just wanted to chime in because I have had 4 babies and I have UC. I was diagnosed back in 2004 and by 2008 when I go married I hadn’t had a flare and had totally forgotten I had UC. In 2008 I got married, in 2009 I had baby #1, in 2010 I had baby #2. I had a little stomach discomfort after this, but no flare. In 2012 I had baby #3, normal healthy pregnancy, big baby, 6 weeks after delivery was in full flare! (Progesterone levels drop about 6 weeks postpartum so this was likely the cause, in extension of me demanding a lot of my body with so many babies so close together. Be sure to eat cleanly postpartum and don’t eat foods that might aggrevate you or watch closely if you do.) So finally, I was reminded I had UC. Also please note here, I nursed all of my babies 12 months and got pregnant while nursing 3X. I went on prednisone got my flare under control and had another mild flare when he started eating solids 6-9 months. I was on Lialda (mesalamine) the whole time I nursed him. He is completely healthy, actually he is my best eater at 1 1/2. When he was 9 months old (I was still nursing) I got pregnant again. I did flare in the middle of this #4 pregnancy for the first time, also note, that flare started when I stopped nursing my last baby, he was 1 and I was about 4 months pregnant.
Baby #4 is now 2 months (10 weeks old) and I am doing well. I am possibly on the edge of flare, but I think it may be from eating chocolate on Halloween. I have been on SCD and or gluten free (mostly) since my flare during this last pregnancy. But prior to that did nothing special with my diet, other than eat healthy most of the time. I have now been on Lialda since June 2012 throughout this last pregnancy with no ill side effects. And I also have done hydrocortisone enemas when needed.
My advice would be, don’t get pregnant while in flare, but if you are, be sure to get help. Having to take a little prednisone is less damaging that having a huge flare, after all the baby can’t get good nutrition if you are in full flare and are not getting good nutrition yourself. Also, I highly recommend nursing. There was an Italian study done that showed that nursing actually helps UC. And based on my experience when I weened my last baby, I have to say, that was true for me.
Don’t worry about your feet, you’ll be fine, just listen to your body and don’t overdo it. Also, If you want to ask me any other questions, I will be happy to answer and help.
Sarah! You. Are. Amazing. I know I will have lots of questions. I wonder if there is a way we can contact eachother outside this website? You seem to be a wealth of information!
Hi Amanda!!! I was dx with UC when I was 10 yo. I am now 30 and have had mild to moderate flares. I only had 2 major flares with lots of bleeding in the last 20 years. When I do flare I get the typical cramping, blood in stool, 4-5 BM/day. Prior to getting pregnant I was on and off with mild flare ups. I take Lialda 2 tabs twice a day when in a flare and in general take 2 tabs once a day. I took folic acid as well 2 mg. You should be already taking 2mg of folic acid now and always during child bearing years and throughout your pregnancy .Folic acid is to prevent neuro tube defects in the baby. While pregnant I had a mild flare in the beginning, middle, and after delivery. For me those were times when I was stress out. To take care of the flare up in preg the doc had me use mesalamine enema at bedtime and take Lialda 2 tabs twice a day. You cant take prednisone in the first trimester bc it can cause defects to baby. I chose not to take prednisone at all because of that fear throughout the entire pregnancy. My baby is now 4 mo old and in perfect health. Being a mommy is the greatest gift :) Best wishes for a healthy pregnancy!
I almost forgot. I had 1 ultrasound a month the entire pregnancy till 37 wks, to be sure the baby was getting enough of nutrients and growing. It was fun to see the baby grow every month by ultrasound and hear her heartbeat. I was considered high risk by my OB/GYN and gastro. I had 1 misscarriage but they said it was not related to UC.
I had 4 haealthy children.uc seemed in remission during
pregnancy.I took folic acid and my sulfasalizine during.best of luck!
Hi Amanda
My UC wasn’t diagnosed until my twins were 3 yrs old in 2006 . Struggled with symptoms until 2011 when we moved from the UK to the USA. I then discovered the Specific Carbohydrate Diet and my life was transformed – check out scdifestyle.com for all the information you could ever need.
Good luck with everything!
Hi Amanda, I was not diagnosed with UC and started on medication until 2 years after having my son. Unfortunately while I was pregnant I got a bacterial infection called c- diff at about 6 months into my pregnancy. The doctors dx me with c- diff / colitis . Up until that point I had a great pregnancy. My son was born 5 weeks early . He is now 5 years old and is a very healthy child. I had some complications during child birth and ended up having an emergency c – section. I still suffer from UC and have been hospitalized a few times since my son has been born. I am now 32 and being a mother is wonderful and I enjoy it so much. It keeps me going and it brings joy to my life. I know having UC raises a lot of concern when it comes to trying to have kids but if you do everything you can to try to have the best pregnancy thats all you can do! I wish you the best and hope everything goes well for you when you get pregnant
Hi Amanda,
What a wonderful time for you!
I was diagnosed with UC when I was 21. I am now 39. I have 2 children, a 6 yo daughter and a 3 yo son.
Many women’s UC responds differently during pregnancy. My story does fall into the text book as pretty common. Here it is:
I flared up during both pregnancies in the first trimester. My second pregnancy was worse. By the beginning of my 2nd trimester my flares calmed down for both.
For my first I only used mesalamine products through the entire pregnancy.
For my second I added a Cort enema until things calmed down.
My daughter was delivered at 40weeks completely naturally, with my midwife. No drugs at all. Labored in tub. It was amazing.
My son was born at 28 weeks via emergency c—c-section. I developed hellp syndrome. This is not related to UC. He is perfectly fine.
Once both children were born I nursed. I nursed my daughter for 2 years and my son for 6 months.
I nursed my daughter while taking mesalamine meds.
I flared up about 3 months after my daughter was born.
I flared up two weeks after my son was born because I stopped taking my meds because I didn’t want any meds in my breast milk at all because he was premature ( that was probably not the best decision). I ended up in a significant flare while he was in nicu. I ended up trying prednisone to knock it out fast. The pred did not work. I stopped taking pred after about 1 month and started lialda. The lialda worked ! Yes I did nurse while on the pref.
After that flare I was in remission for 2 years.
Let me add that i love being pregnant. If it wasn’t for the hellp syndrome i would do it again, UC and all.
Best of luck to you.
Toni
Sorry for duplicate entry (I left the incorrect email)
Hi Amanda, I’m 33 and was diagnosed back in 1999. I went in remission in 2003 and stayed there until December 2012. That month my handicapped father (who I cared for in my home) passed away and my daughter was 6 months. I was on robinol and mercaptopurine to get in remission but went off both 6 months before trying to get pregnant. I was in remission through my entire pregnancy (without meds-pregnancy can be amazing for some and it was for me). I am now on remicade and apriso with varying success after a four day stint in the hospital, up to 180 mg of prednisone daily and a failed attempt to try humira and lialda. You should really join babycenter.com if you are trying to conceive. They have a group for moms with Crohn’s or UC and it has been great. I was also able to nurse until I went in the hospital. My feet recovered, got no massages, worked until the day I went into the hospital (a day before birth) and had a natural birth (probably not likely if you are flaring). I don’t work in a restaurant but travel monthly for work so was in airplanes and walking a lot. I’d MUCH rather be pregnant on my feet all day than having a UC flare :). I hope this helps ease your worries and all the best. I’m not sure if I’ll have more kids but for know I’m not since I’m in an active flare and don’t want to chance it.
Best,
Robyn
May I know how many moms got off med and stayed in remission after delivery? Would like to hear some positive stories! thanks!