Colonoscopy after pregnancy

Hi all,

I posted about this time last year about having a colonoscopy but couldnt have one because I was pregnant.

They did do a sigmoidoscopy for me back in the summer and they found a large polyp (thankfully benign) and a few small ones. They couldnt take them out due to me being pregnant but they would arrange for a colonoscopy in December (I had my baby in November) providing I feel well after birth.

Because I didnt hear anything for an appointment I had to chase them and they could only get me in for January which has really ramped my anxiety up. All of yesterday I had a stomach ache and some of today, didnt eat anything all day and of course that makes me think its something else or part of the issues. I must say I do google things (knowing I shouldnt!!!)

Not only this has stressed me out in my entire pregnancy (which has been awful), I have postnatal depression which isnt helping matters and on medication for it.

Im just a bit fed up worrying that because its been so long, its something more sinister as they only done the sigmoidoscopy and not the colonoscopy.

Sorry, just having a rant and not coping very well 😭

[GCCA-Survivor Administrator]

Hi Becs1490,

Thank you for posting on colon cancer connected. Congratulations on the new baby. I hope everything is going well with that. I know you are having some anxiety about what may be going on and causing you the symptoms that you have. What we need to do is get you some answers so you can focus on that new baby.

The sigmoidoscopy deals with the lower portion of the large intestine. You had a polyp there and the tests were benign which is great. So now you are scheduled for a colonoscopy in January. As you know the results from your sigmoidoscopy and the polyps you had to deal with, I would agree that the next step should be a colonoscopy to see if there's anything that needs to be dealt with in that area. I would hope this would not cause you too much anxiety as I feel this would be just the next step to make sure that everything in the small and large intestine have been checked out so we can get you some good answers and hopefully nothing sinister is going on.

As far as the Googling goes, we all do it. I remember my oncologist told me to start Googling things. I do know that what you are experiencing can be caused by many different things. We just need to focus on getting you some good answers. Getting the answers will definitely put you on a path of having Peace of Mind. I know what the pregnancy they weren't able to do the colonoscopy right away but I'm glad to see that you followed up and are due to get one soon. Yes you did have some polyps that were discovered with the sigmoidoscopy and they were benign which is very good news, I wouldn't be too worried about the time elapsed between that test and your colonoscopy. It is what it is and the pregnancy delayed the colonoscopy but you are getting that procedure done and you will soon have good answers to what you are experiencing. Please focus on your new baby and don't be worried. The colonoscopy is a good way to get answers.

We do wish you the very best in finding answers. We hope you are enjoying the new baby even though you are having to deal with these things but please know you are doing all you can do to get answers. And please let us know what you find out as this type of information can prove to be beneficial for others on this site.

Thank You,

~Tom, GCCA Survivor - Colon Cancer Connected Site Administrator.

Just a reminder - this group is here to offer support, share experiences, and offer our thoughts - but this is not medical advice, and you should always consult your medical professional(s). Additionally, for all emergencies, seek urgent medical care, never delay.