Anyone have ulcerative colitis while pregnant?

[Anonymous]

If so, how serious is your case and what med(s) are you taking?
Anyone take a pregnancy category B drug?
Is your OB working with your GI, or is your doctor advising against medication?

I was diagnosed in 1996 and am 5 weeks along. I’m currently taking Colazal (9 pills/day) and while I do not experience bad flares, I do see the occasional blood/mucus in my stool and thus feel that I do need to continue my meds in order to avoid a flare. Colazal is a pregnancy category B drug.

[Anonymous]

I have UC and actually posted about this 2 months ago with an almost identical title - definitely search the archives. My UC is moderate/severe with yearly severe flares. I am actually on both Asacol (similar to Colazal which I used to take but the pills were to big to swallow - laughable now with the prenatal vitamins!) and 6-MP. A year prior to conception, I went to see a specialist at Hopkins and one in NYC about the 6-MP(mercaptopurine) as I thought I would have to go off it for sure.

What you may find comforting is that Asacol/Colazal was not even on the table for me as a concern based on what the doctors' said. For me, it was just feeling comfortable with staying on the 6-MP. The doctor in NYC had done studies on it since the 1970's and still follows the children today and they are all fine. I think the oldest child in the study is now 27!

The bottom line was that the seemingly negligible risk of staying on the medicine was overshadowed by the very real concern that going off the meds would cause me to flare and possibly lose the baby, or damage the baby's development. While I am still not 100% convinced I have made "perfect" choice - probably about 90% sure - I do think that I have made the best decision I can with the information I have. And I'll just have to live with that. Let me know if you have any other questions - I'd be happy to help.

[Anonymous]

PP here again. Sorry OP did not read all your questions:

1 - My GI and my OB agree that I should stay on meds. My GI wrote a letter to my OB to that effect and OB is supportive. Love both of them by the way in case you aren't thrilled with yours!

2 - was diagnosed in 2003 and am 12 weeks along now

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for your message. It is conforting to know I will most likely be able to continue my meds. I did a search under this topic, but came up empty, but I've been looking online and most people say they take either Colazal or Asacol for maintenance without any issues.

Thanks again!

[Anonymous]

found it: http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/64772.page