Health issues and concerns

I haven't seen a topic concerning health issues so I thought to start this one. I found out early this week that I am pregnant again. I am very excited and concerned at the same time. I have a 3 year old son. During my last pregnancy I had a big surprise as far as my health goes. I was having a lot of problems and my OB/GYN didn't really acknowledge them. He brushed my symptoms off as pregnant lady complaints. It wasn't until after my son was born and I was rushed to the ER that I was eventually diagnosed with Crohn's disease. I suffered for almost 2 years after the birth of my son with the disease. Over the last 6 to 9 months I have felt the healthiest since my son was born. I did a lot of research on pregnancy and Crohn's but haven't really found much out at all. The one thing I find every where is that if you're in remission and you conceive, you'll have a normal pregnancy. I'd like to avoid any flair ups if possible! Does anyone have any good detailed info on diet and exercise for pregnant women who have Crohn's disease? I know that I should (and I will) ask my doc about all this but I just wanted to see if anyone else has experienced this.

I personally don't have Crohn's but one of my best friends does...she was diagnosed a few months ago. She's experienced the symptoms for years. She has also had twovery successful pregnancies w/ two very healthy little boys. Good luck!

I have a friend with Crohn's, but I'm still not sure what it is. Can you clarify for me?

Crohn's diesease is an auto immune disease that affects the gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms are abdominal pain, diarrhea (which may be bloody or mucusy), vomitting, and weight loss or gain. Basically the immune system goes haywire, thinking it is under attack, and starts defending itself by attacking healthy intestines, creating sores. My father had this in his early twenties and under went a lot of surgeries. I didn't have any problems until I was pregnant.

OK, so I'm back on Baby Gaga. I miscarried in April after posting my concerns about my Crohn's disease. I also had a serious flair up from the Crohn's. I'm not sure if the Crohn's caused the miscarriage or vice versa.
Anyways, 5 months later I have conceived again... due June 7th, 2009. I am wondering if there are any moms out there that have been through this. I've heard about plenty of moms who have, but I would like to be able to commune with them.

Thanks!

I didn't have any problems with my Crohn's when I was pregnant. The only time I had a flair up was when I went in to labor. I had to stay in the bathroom the whole time and the pain was worse then the labor pain. The doctor put me on Pentasa and I have been doing really well with that, I haven't had any problems with my Crohn's since. My grandmother had Crohn's and that is the only reason they would do the test onme to see if I had it. They would always say I just had IBS until they finally looked for Crohn's.

Quoting Bridget .c:“ I didn't have any problems with my Crohn's when I was pregnant. The only time I had a flair up was when ... [snip!] ... they would do the test onme to see if I had it. They would always say I just had IBS until they finally looked for Crohn's.”

I am also on Pentasa right now.

My father has Crohn's disease. I was initially diagnosed with UC but after the Dr. went through my family history he conceeded to the Crohn's diagnosis.