IBS and pregnancy

[helen1992x]

Hello! Me and my boyfriend are looking to start a family by the end of the year, but I am just cautious about my symptoms flaring up. Has anyone had any bad experiences with flare ups or found their symptoms got better with pregnancy? I am on my second week after starting ranitidine and domperidone and, TOUCH WOOD, I am actually feeling a lot better at the moment! Thank you x

[Ibs17]

I was lucky my symptoms were better as I have IBS d. In fact I had to be careful as a few times I ended up constipated. I wasn’t on any medication, this is something you need to check the leaflets about taking them during pregnancy and possibly breastfeeding. Also have a chat with GP about these medications and how long you need to wait before becoming pregnant. I did get severely fatigued from about 6 months onwards. You may need to eat a really healthy diet or ask advice again from GP in case you have any deficiencies in vitamins or minerals like vitamins b and iron.

Ididn’t realise how much my IBD affected my daughter until the other day when she said even from a young age she could hear me crying and in pain, and apparently I used to explain it was mummy’s tummy. She is now in her twenties and does have an exceptional memory from an early age.

I found after my two pregnancies that the IBD came back, but some I know it cleared up. If you are on new medication that appears to be helping you might want to wait until you have had a long time of good health before trying. The medication may give you bad withdrawal symptoms too if you have to stop it before becoming pregnant. Discuss with your GPand or consultant first. Wishing you all the best.

[helen1992x in reply to Ibs17]

Hi Ibs17 - thank you for your reply I am really worried about the constipation (I already suffer badly with it and have to take laxido alongside a morning coffee to ensure I go) so hopefully it doesn't get any worse! I went and saw my GP yesterday and it didn't seem as straight forward as I first anticipated. He advised not to start trying until I've seen the 'pregnancy doctors' as he put it so just got to sit and wait! That's such a shame that your daughter remembers that sort of thing - it is quite hard to hide. Thank you x

[Ibs17 in reply to helen1992x]

That’s ok I think waiting to see pregnancy consultant is good providing they understand and are really good at listening about your type of IBS c too. I had diahorea so for me not to have it was lovely. But I did get constipated with my first pregnancy , but I also am very short and had a huge bump, which took up most of the space in my abdomen, so this didn’t help. You will need to make sure you are really healthy before becoming pregnant, but the consultant and GP will explain this.

[helen1992x in reply to Ibs17]

How short are you, if you don't mind me asking? Just because I am 5 foot 4 so I think I would end up with a big bump! x

[Ibs17 in reply to helen1992x]

Hi I’m 5ft 3 but I have short friends too and they didn’t have big bumps. So it isn’t necessarily so, I wasn’t so big with my second child.

[Eliana5]

Hi Helen,

While I have never been pregnant, I have seen a lot of posts from pregnant women complaining about constipation, but not loose stools. I have not seen any other posts, other than C. One woman did say "Triscuits" worked for her. I hope you don't get any bothersome side effects, and congratulations on starting a family..☺

[helen1992x in reply to Eliana5]

Hi Eliana yeah it seems like constipation is the main thing that pregnant women with IBS do suffer from (god help me!! I'm already awful with it, without being pregnant!) what exactly are 'triscuit's? Never heard of them! Thank you it seems it's a lot more complicated than I first anticipated but I'd rather make sure I am fully well before becoming pregnant x

[Eliana5 in reply to helen1992x]

It's a cracker..delicious, but better and much healthier than a cracker, ..it's hard to describe though, but it's very good for you. You may be able to "Google it"..

[helen1992x in reply to Eliana5]

Ah okay, I'll take a look thank you

[Eliana5 in reply to helen1992x]

You're welcome..