Crohn's Disease and Pregnancy

Most women with Crohn’s disease are able to conceive and deliver healthy babies. It is important that you speak to your gastroenterologist if you are pregnant or planning to be pregnant. Still, you may have questions about the impact that Crohn’s will have on a pregnancy.

Conception

While women with Crohn’s disease that is in remission are able to conceive, women with active Crohn’s may have more difficulty becoming pregnant. Men with Crohn’s who are taking sulfasalazine, a drug commonly used to treat Crohn’s, may be temporarily infertile because the drug decreases sperm count. A man can talk to his gastroenterologist about switching to a 5-ASA medication, which can treat Crohn’s without affecting fertility.

Pregnancy

Most women with Crohn’s can and do carry a full-term pregnancy and deliver a healthy baby. But women with active Crohn’s should be especially careful. Crohn’s causes malnourishment, anemia, and inflammation. Such conditions can interfere with the growth of the fetus, thus putting the woman at two to three times more risk of miscarriage, premature delivery, or stillbirth. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance to stay in close contact with both your gastroenterologist and your obstetrician throughout your pregnancy.

Nutrition and pregnancy

As a pregnant woman, it is important to maintain a healthy, well-balanced diet. As a pregnant woman with Crohn’s disease, your obstetrician and gastroenterologist may recommend special foods, vitamins, and minerals in conjunction with your regular diet.

Women with Crohn’s disease who are pregnant or who plan to become pregnant should speak to their gastroenterologist or obstetrician. And remember, every pregnancy is unique. If you do experience difficulties during one pregnancy, that doesn’t mean future pregnancies will be difficult.

Some information adapted from the Remicade Website. For more information and resources on Crohn's disease, or to find more information regarding Remicade, please visit the Remicade website.