Pregnant... @ 5 weeks post takedown. Help!!

I have no experience with this as I had my kids before my j pouch but don't panic! I think you will be totally fine. The human body is an amazing thing and it will adapt. First thing I would do right now is make an appt with your regular obgyn and get it confirmed. Then you can talk to them about if you need to see a high risk one. I would let your surgeon know about this too. How was your recovery from the surgery? Did you have any complications?

Don't beat yourself up....things happen. This could be a blessing! Congrats!

I seem to recall one member here who had this happen. It was a long time ago and I can't remember who it was. But, the main thing was that, like you, she was at first in a panic, but everything turned out fine.

The main reason to delay pregnancy is because it gives your body more time to build up reserves after illness and surgery. It is not because your j-pouch is in danger.

If it helps at all, your body would not allow for pregnancy unless you were fit enough to carry to term. So, if you were malnourised, severely anemic, etc. you would not ovulate and could not get pregnant.

So, take some deep breaths, make appointments with your OB/GYN and surgeon, and start the happy planning for your new addition!

Oh, and congratulations!

Jan

mgmt10 - Recovery has been a breeze post takedown. I had one tiny hiccup of what was likely an obstruction about 1.5 weeks ago, but it lasted an hour or two. My surgeon was quite stern on the 6 months. I'm afraid to call him.

Jan - If you somehow remember who it was that experienced this please let me know!

Thanks for the encouragement. I really hope you're both right that this is ok!

everyone else - any suggestions?

I have a pretty good memory, but there's no way I'd remember the name of a member who posted years ago. I am sure there are many women here who are quite envious of your "predictament!" I'm sure your worries will evaporate soon, particularly after the first trimester. Of course, they will be replaced by the normal pregnancy worries.

Jan

Hi All,

I am 1 week from delivery of my post takedown baby. I became pregnant in late Jan/early Feb of the year after my takedown on Dec. 4th 2012. My surgeon said it was fine to start trying and that it may take some time however it didn't. Being pregnant with a jpouch is different than not, I had two pregnancies prior to surgery, but it is better than being pregnant in a flare. I was pretty sick with my last child, constant bathroom trips etc. Although my iron and B12 are low and require monitoring I am all in all having a smooth ride. I am opting to have a c-section as this is what the colorectal surgeon suggested. Good luck and congratulations. Count yourself lucky as so many in our shoes find themselves trying for years before being able to conceive

Thanks again everyone. I am excited and incredibly grateful for this - just a bit scared too since my surgeon was so specific with the 6 months. I definitely realize the challenge of pregnancy post j-pouch.

I'm anxious to see what my obgyn says. I'll keep you posted.

A thought I had about conceiving this early - perhaps this was possible because scar tissue hasn't fully formed? My surgeon cautioned my on the decreased fertility due to scar tissue. Any thoughts?

Oh, and best wishes and congrats JessGoguen! I hope the c-section goes well!

Congratulations...miracles do happen!
Sometimes things happen at the wrong time for the right reasons...I would give your surgeon a quick call just to let him know...and see how he reacts...he may surprise you and not be alarmist at all...for now, I would take it very slowly, up your nutrition and see about suppliments...and ask your doctor advice on when you can start mild activity like gentle exercising...you need to get your strenth and energy up so that you can enjoy this pregnancy.
Sharon

Whatever scar tissue that would form on your tubes nd ovaries woud have formed within a few weeks of your j-pouch surgery, so t was there by he time of your take-down. The take-down would have little to no effect, because of the lcation f the surgery. You were just lucky to not be a big adhesion former.

Jan

As an update -
My surgeon congratulated me! He said he obviously thought waiting was a better idea but that through the 9 months the jpouch could still heal.

I still have questions though -
1 Yesterday and today I've had MAJOR pressure from inside on my pouch. It comes when I'm standing or sitting. Going to the bathroom or passing gas alleviates the pressure a little but it comes back. Is this gas pains? I feel like a brick is just above my rectum and that I can't get rid of the pressure!

The first trimester can be a challenge, even with a colon, especially when you are new to all this. Even though that fetus is teeny tiny, all the hormones and the growing uterus will put pressure on anything around it. Things will change daily, back ache, brick feeling on your bladder, etc.. But, once the uterus rises out of the pelvis, things calm down a bit within the pelvis.

So basically, this sounds like normal stuff to me.

Jan