My Journey to a Positive Pregnancy with Crohn's Disease

Currently, I have just begun my second trimester of pregnancy with my first baby, and I wanted to offer a positive perspective on being pregnant with a Crohn’s Disease diagnosis.

Navigating a Crohn's diagnosis while trying to conceive

Before trying to conceive, my Gastroenterologist didn’t offer me much positivity. This is not to shame my doctor, as I don’t blame her perspective, but I do want to express that just because your doctor is not optimistic, it doesn’t mean you can’t get pregnant or have a positive pregnancy. This has been my personal experience, and I feel it can be helpful to share my story.

When the doctor's outlook doesn't match your reality

During my last colonoscopy, I had active disease. I was anemic and iron-deficient, and although I have been much worse, I definitely wasn’t in remission. I am also on Skyrizi every 8 weeks. I had mentioned starting a family to my GI, as I was getting married soon, and my husband and I always wanted a family. She never said it was impossible, but she did say that in the condition my body was in, it would be unlikely that I would conceive. I needed to focus on improving my symptoms.

This left me a bit concerned, but I am naturally a positive person and chose to remain positive and believed that someday I would become a mom. Sure enough, I got married at the end of September, and in November, I was pregnant.

Surprise! A positive pregnancy test

I was shocked by how quickly it happened. I couldn’t believe it because it was presented to me that pregnancy was not going to happen until I improved, and I had pretty much felt the same. But lo and behold, there I was holding a positive pregnancy test in the bathroom while on a family trip. It was surreal.

Immediately, I messaged my GI and let her know I was pregnant. She advised me to see an OBGYN immediately, as I would be high-risk and that I would need a referral to a Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialist. Once again, this put me on alert.

Managing Crohn's symptoms during the first trimester

Fast forward to my first appointment with my OBGYN, and blood tests were done to make sure I wasn’t anemic. An ultrasound was done to look at the baby, and finally, at my initial consultation, I had incredible peace. My OBGYN is smart, to the point, and a plus is that she has had a handful of patients with Crohn’s. She assured me that I am not high-risk until I am high-risk. Baby looked great so far. Blood tests showed perfect levels, which shocked me. And I have been monitored closely to make sure things are unfolding and developing well, considering my diagnosis.

I saw my OBGYN every two weeks in the first trimester. Baby developed perfectly. I feel great, and to my astonishment, my Crohn’s symptoms are practically non-existent. My OBGYN said the Crohn’s will either worsen or improve, and in my case, it has improved drastically.

Finding peace and community support

Overall, I know that not everyone has a great experience with pregnancy with a Crohn’s diagnosis. For me personally, I felt like I had never read of anyone talking about a positive pregnancy, which made me more inclined to share.

It is possible to have a great pregnancy with Crohn's disease. It is possible not to be high-risk. And it is possible that your Crohn’s symptoms can actually improve while pregnant. This has been my personal experience, and I think sharing and being honest with one another in this community is why it’s so beautiful to be a part of it.

How about you? How was your pregnancy experience like? Share in the comment below; we'd love to hear from you!