My niece is pregnant and they suspect she has Crohns, she has anaemia and Vit D low... they can’t test till after the birth. Advice pls

[jamjar67]

Hi, as above I’m worried about my niece, it’s her 1st pregnancy, she has always struggled with food, lactose intolerant, wheat etc... she has had blood and mucous in her stools and is anaemic.

The nurse has advised a pregnacare multi vitamin, and iron (liquid ferris fumerate).

I’m worried she won’t be absorbing these if her gut is inflamed so have bought her sublingual Vit D3 with K2 and sublingual iron.

Please can anyone give any advice as I know very little about crohns.

She is in her 1st trimester and is feeling and being very sick!

Thankyou

[willow24 Administrator]

They could fo a faecal calprotectin test which is a poo test so non invasive. Also have her blood inflammatory markers been checked?

They could also do sigmoidoscopy as only lower part of bowel needs to be clear, this can be done by enema. Im not sure what contraindications are for prep used in a colonoscopy but i know movicol (a much smaller dose) is safe in pregnancy.

You need yo be very careful taking iron supplements as these can cause constipation and can cause more damage to an already inflammed gut. Proper iron studies (blood test) need to be taken to ascertain whether deficiency is iron, vit b12 or folate etc.

Sounds like she needs referring to a gastroenterologist who will be able to inform and carry out tests that are safe for baby x

[jamjar67 in reply to willow24]

Thank you, I’ll pass all this on to her... re constipation (I’ve not asked her yet) but could she take magnesium citrate to help with that or might that be problematic too?

[bantam12 in reply to jamjar67]

I had what was thought to be ulcerative colitis ( similar to crohns) while I was pregnant, no tests or meds possible until after baby was born so I muddled on and got a diagnosis once I'd had the colonoscopy.

[jamjar67 in reply to bantam12]

Did you take any supplements- I thought sub lingual if she’s not absorbing nutrients in her gut?

[bantam12 in reply to jamjar67]

I dont tolerate supplements in any form so my vit and min levels are usually low. She really needs to be guided by her Gastro Consultant and Obstetrician.

[ian16527 in reply to willow24]

Try Floradix Liquid Iron from Holland and Barrett. Very gentle and full of vitamins as well

[Smilerdownes]

Hi there I understand your concern for your niece and hope they get to the bottom

Of the problem. My daughter has crohns and five months ago gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. I too was worried that the baby wouldn’t get enough nutrients and that my daughter would be very ill. However she sailed through her pregnancy and Mother Nature did the rest. If they are unable to do any positive tests until after the pregnancy then the best she can do is be healthy in herself by eating well (my daughter juices every day and always has). Every morning she has a juice of vegetables and then a juice later on of fresh fruit. What works for some people don’t work for another but by eating healthy and generally looking after herself as best as possible is the best thing to do. Has your niece had these crohns symptoms very long ?

[jamjar67 in reply to Smilerdownes]

Thankyou for that, it’s reassuring to hear 😊 and Congratulations on the birth of your grandchild! I will mention the juicing to her when I see her tomorrow x