Exercise is not dangerous for your baby, there is some evidence that active women are less likely to experience problems in later pregnancy and labour.
Crohn's and Colitis can cause fatigue, as can being pregnant. There is some evidence that low to moderate intensity physical activity may reduce fatigue associated with Crohn's and Colitis. See our information sheet Fatigue for more information and other tips for managing tiredness. I found gentle walking helped during my pregnancy. I also did a pregnancy yoga class, which I really enjoyed as I found it relaxing. If you have mildly active or inactive Crohn's or Colitis when you become pregnant it is unlikely to worsen during pregnancy.
If you become pregnant while your disease is active, it is more likely to remain active during your pregnancy. We need more research before we know the long term effects of pregnancy on Crohn's and Colitis are known. Some research suggests that pregnancy can have a positive effect on IBD — some women have fewer relapses and are less likely to need surgery after they have had children, whereas others studies show no change.
If you do have a flare-up in the early days after giving birth it can be hard to prioritise your own health, but it is vital to look after yourself as well. Tell your doctor or IBD team about any new symptoms or if your symptoms worsen.
For more information about looking after yourself, read the section How can I get more support? You can give birth at home, in a unit run by midwives a midwifery unit or birth centre or in hospital. Your options about where to have your baby will depend on your needs, risks and, to some extent, on where you live. For women with some medical conditions, including Crohn's or Colitis , it may be better to give birth in hospital, where specialists are available, in case you need treatment during labour.
Work with your midwife, obstetrician and IBD team to plan what will be best for you and your baby. Your ante-natal team should discuss all the options for giving birth with you, so do talk to your IBD specialist and your obstetrician about your preferences and about any worries you have.
Your midwife will be able to give you further support and can help you make a birth plan - a record of what you would like to happen during your labour and after the birth. Some women with Crohn's or Colitis may have a caesarean section, or C-section, which is an operation to deliver your baby through a cut made in your tummy and womb. A C-section may reduce the risk of damage to the muscles of your anus and perineum, which might affect your continence.
Having a C-Section will also depend on your preferences, and the health of you and your baby. Pregnancy and delivery in women with a stoma is considered safe.
If you do have an ileostomy or colostomy, it might be helpful to tell your stoma nurse about your pregnancy at an early stage. Your nurse will be able to talk you through any changes to expect. For example, your stoma may change shape or become larger as your tummy expands.
It will usually return to normal after the delivery. Occasionally as your womb enlarges it can temporarily block the stoma. A change of diet may help — your stoma nurse will be able to advise on this. You may also find there is an increase in output from your stoma during the later stages of pregnancy. This is likely to return to normal after the birth. Most women with a stoma will be able to have a vaginal birth, although sometimes a caesarean section is necessary. Breastfeeding alongside introducing solids is best for babies from 6 months.
Some research has suggested that breastfeeding may protect against early onset Crohn's or Colitis in the children of mothers with have Crohn's or Colitis. Whether you can breastfeed while on medication for Crohn's or Colitis will depend on which drug you are taking, whether it passes through into breast milk, and what is known about the possible effects on your baby. Most of the drugs used to treat Crohn's or Colitis are probably safe to use when you are breastfeeding — although many of the drug companies advise caution.
It may still be possible to breastfeed, so talk to your doctor and your IBD team about any likely problems from your medication. For information about different drugs, see the section How safe is my medication in pregnancy or if I am breastfeeding? Our specific drug treatment leaflets have more information about all these drugs. Breastfeeding is not always easy, especially if you are also living with Crohn's or Colitis. You can obtain support from your midwife, health visitor or find out about other local support via the National Breastfeeding Helpline.
There are also some online forums dedicated to this issue. Parents with Crohn's or Colitis are slightly more likely to have a child who develops Crohn's or Colitis. How likely seems to vary with the condition and is also higher in some groups of people than others.
That is, 2 out of children born to couples where one parent has Colitis might be expected to develop Crohn's or Colitis at some point in their lives.
We still cannot predict exactly how Crohn's or Colitis is passed on. Even with genetic predisposition, other additional factors are needed to trigger the development of Crohn's or Colitis. Being pregnant and then having a new born can be exhausting. At times it may be difficult to do everything you would like for your baby because you are also living with Crohn's or Colitis. Try to take care of yourself, as this will make it easier to take care of your baby as well! The skills that you have developed to cope with your illness can be good preparation for pregnancy and motherhood.
Mums with Crohn's or Colitis very often have already developed ways to deal with tiredness and have learned how to be flexible. Some women feel more vulnerable and anxious while pregnant and after birth.
Hormonal changes may play a part in this. Pregnancy and birth can trigger more serious depression in some women postnatal depression. Your midwife, GP and health visitor should ask you about your mental health, which will give you the opportunity to talk about any concerns and to receive help if necessary. If you have a partner they may also need support and many of these services are also open to them. They may also find our information sheet Supporting someone with IBD: A guide for friends and family useful.
Speak to your IBD team as soon as possible about your treatment during pregnancy and breastfeeding. We have provided some general information below, but it is important to get specific advice about your situation from your IBD team, before starting or stopping any drugs or treatment. Pregnancy: Generally considered to be safe during pregnancy. Sulphasalazine can reduce your ability to absorb folic acid, an important vitamin for the unborn baby. You will be advised to take higher levels of folic acid supplements.
They should be carefully monitored, but this normally stops if their mother stops the drug or they switch to bottle feeding. Pregnancy: Steroids can cross the placenta but they quickly convert to less active chemicals and can be used in pregnancy if needed. Breastfeeding: Generally considered safe - a small amount of the drug may pass to the baby, but studies have found no harmful effects.
Misinformation about the safety of IBD medication during pregnancies can lead to a lot of well-meaning but wrong advice. This can take its toll on many women. The antidote is to educate yourself and be prepared with answers.
Of course, women should also be comfortable bringing any questions they are not sure about to their gastroenterologist. An MFM is an obstetrician with additional years of education and is trained in taking care of women with complicated or high-risk pregnancies. An MFM can determine both the type of monitoring you need throughout the course of your pregnancy and the frequency of your prenatal visits with healthcare providers. Your gastroenterologist will work closely with your MFM throughout your pregnancy.
Unfortunately, due to variations in access and availability, an MFM may not be an option for many women with IBD who are pregnant or looking to become pregnant. Other providers to think about making part of your care team include a nutritionist, psychologist, lactation specialist, and pediatrician once your baby is born.
While having the right medical team is important, having a strong support network is also extremely valuable. Caron says having her friends, family, and partner on board with her treatment plan and decision-making was vital to her successful pregnancies.
Connecting with other women with IBD can also be helpful. There are a lot of us who are more than happy to share our experiences throughout the process. About 40, children in the United States live with ulcerative colitis. Learn more about the symptoms children may have and their treatment options. Ulcerative colitis is type of an inflammatory bowel disease. Learn about diagnosis, when to see a doctor, FAQs such as how it differs from Crohn's….
Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Medically reviewed by Carolyn Kay, M. How will pregnancy affect ulcerative colitis? Diet during pregnancy with UC. Safe treatments for UC during pregnancy. Is ulcerative colitis dangerous for your baby-to-be? Bottom line. Parenthood Pregnancy.
Read this next. Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph. Medically reviewed by Saurabh Sethi, M. Ulcerative Colitis Treatment Not Working? Medically reviewed by Mia Armstrong, MD.
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