I can't believe I am now 20 weeks pregnant, I feel like it has completely flown by and to now be half way through my pregnancy is crazy. It's feeling more and more real every day as I see my bump grow. The moment when it really felt real was feeling the movement for the first time. It could so easily be mistaken for wind or just a tummy gurgle, but when I felt it repeatedly I knew it was my little baby. One morning on the train to work at about 18 weeks I felt the movements low down and grabbed my boyfriends hand to feel, and we both felt a very faint little limb push on my tummy. It was just the most incredible feeling and something I will remember forever. Now I am feeling it more and more which just makes me so excited to know that my baby is growing and in a few months will be here! I find it reassuring to feel the little movements as I had felt really worried. With my health problems, I never knew what was going to happen so we are just going with the flow and taking things as we find them.
At 18 weeks I had an appointment with a consultant specialist who would determine whether I needed to be under specialist care or just under midwife care. He did all the usual checks and a quick scan and listen of the heart beat to see that everything was OK, then we had to discuss my history: the medication I currently am taking, how long I have been taking it for, the last time I was on steroids, my current symptoms, all history about my Crohns to determine what the course of action would be. Given that I am currently in a healthy state and my Crohns is in remission the Dr was happy for me to continue as I am but did have some concerns for the future. I was told that it has been proven for some mothers on Azathioprine to give birth to premature babies or low birth weight babies as well as affecting the babies immune system in the last trimester. As I lost about half a stone during the first few weeks from sickness, and not consistently putting on weight, I have been worried about my baby's weight and how they were growing. The Dr reassured me it all looked fine now, but I might need to have regular growth scans to monitor the baby's development, and that it could be a good idea to come off the medication in the last trimester. The growth scan's didn't alarm me, and I would rather the baby have more checks to make sure it's OK, but the thought of coming off the medication did unnerve me.. I have been on aza for almost 3 years now, so who knows how I would be off of it. It is worrying, but I need to not worry about something that hasn't even happened (classic me!) and see how it goes. I eat well and look after myself, so the Dr is confident if I continue to do so the pregnancy and myself will progress fine.
Last week I met with my Gastroenterology consultant for my usual 6 month check up and it was lovely to be discussing positive news instead of the usual upsets. I explained what the Dr had said to me about the medication and she advised to stay on it, she said that the most important thing is that I stay well during the pregnancy and she wouldn't want to risk a flare by coming off them. She reassured me that hundreds of mums give birth on azathioprine to healthy babies and the medication shouldn't cause any harm or determine a difficult labour. The only time I have to be careful is after birth, as it is quite common for new mums with Crohns to relapse due to the hormone change, the stress, lifestyle change among other things. So during that period I need to be extra careful, but if the worst comes to worst I can go on a course of steroids and this wouldn't harm the baby either should I choose to breast feed. So really it was a super positive appointment, and although the antenatal Dr had said I might have to come of the medication, he did say he was happy to follow my Gastroenterology consultants advice.
We had our 20 week scan yesterday, and I just cant explain how amazing it is to see my baby growing inside of me! It is pure magic. During the scan the sonographer checked all my baby's organs and structure and also measured it's growth and I was totally over the moon to hear it is growing well. It's so encouraging seeing the scans and knowing that everything is going well with the pregnancy and I can breathe a sigh of relief I am doing the right thing. So now the plan is to just keep doing what I'm doing. I am going on holiday in a few weeks and can't wait for some sunshine and to relax. Here's to the next 20 weeks!!
XOXO Crohnie Girl
Hey girl! Congratulations! I came off azathioprine when I became pregnant the first time. I was really nervous because I'd been taking it for about 3 years also, but without even knowing it was causing some of my issues. Only when I came off azathioprine did I notice an actual improvement in little things (my skin got better, my hair started to grow again, my weight was fluctuating as much and my fatigue improved slightly) ive not gone back on it since! It's been a year and a half ive been off azathioprine now. It's scary, but it will be worth it, just make sure you keep an eye on everything and call your Dr if you're concerned with anything. I had a flare at 22 weeks and panicked, called the hospital but they reassured me that it's only me suffering, my baby won't even have known anything was wrong, so that's reassuring. It's rubbish for us but the babies will be fine. Take care xxxx
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