Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory condition of the digestive tract. It is a chronic disease, which means it often lasts for a long time and needs ongoing management.
If you live with Crohn’s disease, you’re likely to experience times when:
- you have few to no symptoms (remission)
- your symptoms become more severe (flare-ups)
Most people with Crohn’s disease can get pregnant and give birth to healthy babies.
Can you conceive when you have Crohn’s disease?
If you have Crohn’s disease, you have the same chance of conceiving as someone without the condition, particularly if you are in a period of remission.
The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation says the best time to get pregnant is when the condition has been in remission for at least 3–6 months.
If you are going through a Crohn’s disease flare-up, it may be more difficult to get pregnant. However, research suggests that 1 in 4 women with Crohn’s disease will conceive during a flare-up.
If you’ve had bowel surgery, you may still get pregnant. However, certain types of pelvic surgery may make conception slightly more difficult.
Having J-pouch surgery, where doctors remove parts of your digestive tract and insert a pouch, may affect your chances of becoming pregnant. A healthcare professional may suggest trying to conceive before — or a year after — the procedure.
Are pregnancy complications common for people with Crohn’s?
Statistically, women with Crohn’s disease are less likely to have children than women without the condition. However, this is not always due to complications. Some people with Crohn’s disease choose not to give birth because of concern for their well-being and that of the baby.
If you become pregnant during remission, your chances of completing your pregnancy and giving birth are similar to those of people without the condition. Around 80–90% of women with Crohn’s disease in remission have pregnancies without complications.
The chance of pregnancy complications is higher if you get pregnant during a flare-up, though. Conceiving during an active flare-up may increase the risks of:
- miscarriage
- early delivery
- low birth weight
- stillbirth
- diabetes during pregnancy, known as gestational diabetes
Working with your healthcare team can reduce your risk of pregnancy complications.
Does pregnancy trigger Crohn’s disease symptoms?
If you get pregnant during a flare-up, you are more likely to continue experiencing severe symptoms throughout your pregnancy.
If you get pregnant during a period of remission, your chances of symptoms returning are the same as if you were not pregnant.
Some research suggests that females may have fewer Crohn’s symptoms and flare-ups after having a child.
Does Crohn’s disease treatment affect pregnancy and the baby?
Experts advise notifying your healthcare professional if you are trying to conceive. They can guide you on self-care options and adjust your current Crohn’s treatment to protect your pregnancy.
Crohn’s disease medications may include:
- corticosteroids like prednisone, hydrocortisone, and budesonide
- immunomodulators like methotrexate and azathioprine
- anti-inflammatory drugs like sulfasalazine
- over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen
- antidiarrheals like loperamide, diphenoxylate (Lomotil), and cholestyramine (Questran)
Most medications for Crohn’s disease are safe during pregnancy. However, your healthcare professional may suggest:
- stopping steroid medications
- discontinuing methotrexate and similar drugs 3–6 months before getting pregnant to reduce the risk of developmental issues for the fetus and miscarriage
- skipping antibiotics throughout your pregnancy
- supplementing with folic acid if you take sulfasalazine
These and other recommendations may vary depending on your symptoms, age, overall health, and other considerations that only a healthcare professional may assess.
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