Crohn's disease and pregnancy are two issues that can be overwhelming enough on their own. When persons suffering from this condition want to conceive, it might seem like a dangerous proposition. However there are certain steps you can take to ensure you undergo a safe childbirth and have a healthy child.
It really helps to know what the facts and fallacies are. First of all, people with Crohn's disease can indeed have children. Any problems that arise regarding conceiving a child can usually be traced back to sulfasalzine. This is a very common form of medication that is used to treat this disease. One of its side effects is that it causes men to become temporarily infertile. If you are planning to have a child, speak with your doctor first about changing your medication to something which will not affect your sperm count.
On the woman's side, it is quite possible to successfully carry a child through a full-term pregnancy. However, with Crohn's disease and pregnancy it's imperative to know a few things about how the disease can affect the process of carrying a child. First, the bad news. Studies have shown that women with Crohn's are at a higher risk of having a miscarriage, stillborn or premature birth. The good news is that with the proper care and precautions, there is no reason why you can't have a completely healthy birth.
When it comes to Crohn's disease and pregnancy, the woman needs to take some precautionary steps. Remember that your condition means you need to take extra-special care of yourself and your pregnancy at every stage. Some potential mothers may have ulcers or abscesses as a result of Crohn's disease and these may have extended into the birth canal. If this is the case, a caesarian birth is recommended.
Childbirth is of course very stressful and in the case of having Crohn's and being pregnant, the very act of giving birth can trigger an attack. Women should be prepared for a flare-up that can occur right after delivering the child. Some women also experience elevated symptoms following conception up to the first trimester.
When a pregnant woman is dealing with Crohn's, it is of the utmost importance that she does her best to make sure her body is well nourished. It is natural to feel cravings for certain foods and dietary changes could trigger an attack. Meet with your doctor and obstetrician to chart out a nutritional plan for your pregnancy term. If you are taking sulfasalazine, speak to your doctor about taking some folic acid as well, to ensure the child doesn't have any birth defects.
Pregnancy and childbirth are beautiful experiences and there is no reason why you can't enjoy them to the fullest. Apart from keeping physically fit, remember to think positively about your pregnancy. It can be easy to slip into bouts of depression so surround yourself with things that make you feel happy. Doing something creative for the baby often helps. Many women have found that keeping a baby scrapbook not only provides a creative outlet but also helps them to form a stronger bond with the baby. Dealing with Crohn's disease and pregnancy may be overwhelming but it's definitely not impossible.
I hope you enjoyed this article! If you are struggling with living with crohns disease, and would like to discover the importance of a nutritious diet for crohn's disease, be sure to check out: http://www.CrohnsDiseaseFree.com
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