A lot to think about.

rvandiver0705 · May 2011

I had a doctor's appointment today, and Raquel is doing really well. I passed my 3 hour (whoot woot!), but I still need to watch my sugar and up my protein intake.

I didn't see my doctor, but instead saw one of his partners in the practice. She dropped a bomb on me. Apparently, this practice usually schedules C-Sections for patients with Crohns. I had never thought this was a possibility. Her reasoning is that there is a chance that my fissures (if they are bad/inflamed) could burst open or get much worse and I would need surgery to fix them. Basically I would have the C-Section to make sure that I don't have to have surgery later.

I have no idea what to do. I have had issues with fissures this pregnancy, but not constant ones. I really wanted to have a vaginal birth, but it is more important to me that Raquel is healthy and that I am able to take care of her the way that I need to. I just don't want to have an unnecessary surgery! Ugh!

mrs.tashnash · May 2011

Considering the hemis I had after Mi (TMI) I think they may have a point. Basically get as much info as you can from your doc and then do your best to make a decision based on what they say. Have you had surgery on the fissures before?

ravenorchid · May 2011

I'm glad the appt went well. I would talk to several different doctors and see what their opinions are on the necessity of having a C-section. If all are in agreement, than that might be the way to go. But often it seems like doctors do have pretty different opinions so you just want to gather all the info you can.

rvandiver0705 · May 2011

mrs.tashnash:
Considering the hemis I had after Mi (TMI) I think they may have a point. Basically get as much info as you can from your doc and then do your best to make a decision based on what they say. Have you had surgery on the fissures before?

I haven't had to have surgery yet, as I've been able to just get hooked up to IVs and wait until they heal enough to resume eating. I've never had the pressure that birth would put on that area though.

Manderlin923 · May 2011

I think the best thing you can do is educate yourself either way. Would the pain/hassle of possibly needing surgery to repair the fissures be worse than the pain/hassle of possibly having complications during a c-section? You have to way the pros and cons of both. C-sections, though done frequently and usually without problems, have a higher risk of problems than vaginal delivery and are major surgery. But, I don't know much about your disease to say how serious the risks are to delivering vaginally for you. You obviously need to do what is best for you and your little one. I wish I knew more about your Crohns to help you. Is the scar tissue from a c-section going to aggravate your problem in the future?

Maybe you could find out the probability of complications occuring with your cd? Here's a few links- maybe talk to other women who have done both and see what the consensus is?

https://www.mdjunction.com/forums/crohn-disease-discussions/general-support/178989-crohns-disease-and-pregnancy

https://www.medhelp.org/posts/Crohns-Disease---Ulcerative-Colitis/Pregnant-with-CD-Do-I-really-need-a-c-section/show/515958

Best of luck, either way!

rvandiver0705 · May 2011

ravenorchid:
I'm glad the appt went well. I would talk to several different doctors and see what their opinions are on the necessity of having a C-section. If all are in agreement, than that might be the way to go. But often it seems like doctors do have pretty different opinions so you just want to gather all the info you can.

I am going to talk to my doctor in two weeks, and if I have to call my old OB who I love and trust.

rvandiver0705 · May 2011

Manderlin923:
I think the best thing you can do is educate yourself either way. Would the pain/hassle of possibly needing surgery to repair the fissures be worse than the pain/hassle of possibly having complications during a c-section? You have to way the pros and cons of both. C-sections, though done frequently and usually without problems, have a higher risk of problems than vaginal delivery and are major surgery. But, I don't know much about your disease to say how serious the risks are to delivering vaginally for you. You obviously need to do what is best for you and your little one. I wish I knew more about your Crohns to help you. Is the scar tissue from a c-section going to aggravate your problem in the future?
Maybe you could find out the probability of complications occuring with your cd? Here's a few links- maybe talk to other women who have done both and see what the consensus is?
https://www.mdjunction.com/forums/crohn-disease-discussions/general-support/178989-crohns-disease-and-pregnancy
https://www.medhelp.org/posts/Crohns-Disease---Ulcerative-Colitis/Pregnant-with-CD-Do-I-really-need-a-c-section/show/515958
Best of luck, either way!

My first real issues with possible fissures was during this pregnancy, and my GI doctor didn't want to start any treatment until after Raquel is born. My flares usually just include a lot of abdominal pain, diarrhea and fevers. They have gotten longer, more intense as I've gotten older, and they happen with more frequency. I had my gallbladder removed before I was diagnosed, and it has caused SO many complications, so I am really, really scared of complications from a C-Section.

Eris-Alexis · May 2011

I don't have any advice, but I wanted to wish you luck with whatever you decide to do. It's a tough decision. ((Big HUGS))

Manderlin923 · May 2011

rvandiver0705:
Manderlin923:

I think the best thing you can do is educate yourself either way. Would the pain/hassle of possibly needing surgery to repair the fissures be worse than the pain/hassle of possibly having complications during a c-section? You have to way the pros and cons of both. C-sections, though done frequently and usually without problems, have a higher risk of problems than vaginal delivery and are major surgery. But, I don't know much about your disease to say how serious the risks are to delivering vaginally for you. You obviously need to do what is best for you and your little one. I wish I knew more about your Crohns to help you. Is the scar tissue from a c-section going to aggravate your problem in the future?

Maybe you could find out the probability of complications occuring with your cd? Here's a few links- maybe talk to other women who have done both and see what the consensus is?

https://www.mdjunction.com/forums/crohn-disease-discussions/general-support/178989-crohns-disease-and-pregnancy

https://www.medhelp.org/posts/Crohns-Disease---Ulcerative-Colitis/Pregnant-with-CD-Do-I-really-need-a-c-section/show/515958

Best of luck, either way!

My first real issues with possible fissures was during this pregnancy, and my GI doctor didn't want to start any treatment until after Raquel is born. My flares usually just include a lot of abdominal pain, diarrhea and fevers. They have gotten longer, more intense as I've gotten older, and they happen with more frequency. I had my gallbladder removed before I was diagnosed, and it has caused SO many complications, so I am really, really scared of complications from a C-Section.

I understand. I wonder if you could ask on the natural birth board? Not assuming you want to do it med-free, only suggesting because the vast majority of the women there have either had already had a vaginal birth or are planning on having one and there are also a couple midwives on there- so maybe you could find someone who has Crohn's and still had a vaginal birth (or is planning one) or a midwife who might have more info/research to give you, especially on maybe how to prevent tearing or things that might agravate your problem. I also think if the c-section thing becomes likely, as much as I can tell it is not what you hope for (and I am also terrified of them) that you should speak ahead of time to some women who have had them- that way you are prepared, etiher way. There is not a c-section board but you could try the vbac board. Those ladies are a wealth of knowledge.

Best of luck and keep us posted!

samm1983 · May 2011

Eris-Alexis:
I don't have any advice, but I wanted to wish you luck with whatever you decide to do. It's a tough decision. ((Big HUGS))

This exactly. That is a lot to think about. Good luck with your decision!

quezzo · May 2011

I feel like you need to make your own decision when it comes to this and not let people sway you. You can hear horror stories about C-sections and vaginal births and then you can talk to people who had beautiful births through vag and C-section too. If the goal is to get the baby out safely no one but you and your doctor's can really determine that just because they had a good/bad experience with C-section or vaginal birth. Not only that, but you bring up a good point about being able to to take care of her right after birth verses having to go into another surgery so I think you and your doctor need to have a good, long talk and go over the pros and cons of everything.

No matter what you decide, just be proud of your decision. I hate when people who had had natural births or even medicated vaginal births make people feel like a C-section isn't as special/good. In reality, the birth of any child is always good, no matter how they come into the world. It doesn't make you any less of a mom if you have to have a C-section and I'm sure you will be in good hands with your doctor if this is what you have to do.

Manderlin923 · May 2011

quezzo:

I feel like you need to make your own decision when it comes to this and not let people sway you. You can hear horror stories about C-sections and vaginal births and then you can talk to people who had beautiful births through vag and C-section too. If the goal is to get the baby out safely no one but you and your doctor's can really determine that just because they had a good/bad experience with C-section or vaginal birth. Not only that, but you bring up a good point about being able to to take care of her right after birth verses having to go into another surgery so I think you and your doctor need to have a good, long talk and go over the pros and cons of everything.

No matter what you decide, just be proud of your decision. I hate when people who had had natural births or even medicated vaginal births make people feel like a C-section isn't as special/good. In reality, the birth of any child is always good, no matter how they come into the world. It doesn't make you any less of a mom if you have to have a C-section and I'm sure you will be in good hands with your doctor if this is what you have to do.

Of course the birth of a child is good, no matter how it got here But I also think she is doing a good thing by getting advice and maybe even getting a second opinion, if that is what she wants- you can tell just from her first post that she would prefer a vaginal birth and there's nothing wrong with that, either. I'm sure she'd also have a c-section willingly and accept it if it was in the best interest for her child- we all would!

And of course it wouldn't make her any less of a mom to have a c-section and I hope you weren't taking anything I said to mean so! I just think OP needs to be as prepared as possible, no matter which direction it goes, which is why I suggested talking to moms who've had both deliveries and maybe finding other resources of pros/cons- I'm sure you would agree

mrs.tashnash · May 2011

I'd ask around and see what the recovery is like for the fissure surgery because it might not be too bad.

I've given birth vaginally with no meds and it puts a lot of strain on that area. **TMI ALERT** my bum was like cauliflower after. Lots of hemis, no fissures though but I don't have a history of that. I did develop the hemis throughout pregnancy though and I think the birth majorly aggravated them. As bad as they looked they didn't hurt too much though. There is also a major increase in blood flow, both as your pregnancy goes on and when you go into labour, which may also contribute to problems in that area.

In the end like PP said you just have to weigh the pros and cons of both and see which you feel more comfortable with. From what I've heard the fissure surgery isn't that terrible and the recovery isn't bad ( I have a cousin with Crohns). I've heard both good things and bad things about c-sections. Ultimately it's up to you. I'm sorry you have to choose though.

PS great about the glucose!

Want a personalized experience?

A lot to think about.

Re: A lot to think about.

Choose Another Board

Search Boards