Impact after pregnancy

[michreev]

Hi!
So I have read a bit about pregnancy with IC and it seems to be very individual (like everything else I guess...how frustrating) but I haven't seen too much about what happens AFTER the child is born. My husband and I have been planning for years to adopt (its been a lifelong dream of mine to adopt children) but we had also discussed having a child "the old fashioned way" pre-diagnosis. I have what my dr. qualifies as "mild IC" and he seemed pretty positive that I would be alright during pregnancy and mentioned many cases he had seen that were similar had some form of remission. But no matter what I feel like I can endure pregnancy, knowing that there is an end in sight. However, my biggest fear is that pregnancy will result in my having a worse case than I do currently. Is there any research out there about what happens to women after they have been pregnant? I feel like I've seen posts from women saying they got IC after having a baby and my fear is that I will go from "mild" (interesting term) to a more "severe" case if I get pregnant. Any info or advice would be great.
Michelle

[ellenjb]

Dear Michelle,

Remember, this is only my personal experience, but my IC got worse with pregnancy and remained that way. HOWEVER, I did not know I had IC during my first pregnancy, and I think what made my IC worse are the vitamins that I took while pregnant.

I am once again pregnant, not taking vitamins, and waiting a few more weeks to start instillations. I am hopeful that I will go into remission in the second trimester (it seems that is when most women go into remission when pregnant, if they are going to go into remission at all). I will definitely keep you updated on how it goes, so you have something to hang your hat on. I honestly think that in most cases, women go back to pre-pregnancy IC levels.

Good luck!!

Ellen

[Pumpkinsmom]

Well, I can't tell you about after pregnancy, but so far this pregnancy hasn't been too bad. I am 31 weeks. I haven't flared much at all. Alot of women do get better during pregnancy and some afterwards. I didn't think I could get pregnant, but after trying for 4 yrs. it finally just happened. So, all in all, I am happy with things. I am due Feb. 11th and will keep you posted on the after effects. :) But all women are different.

[ICNLesa]

Hi Michelle,

I have to say that my IC neither worsened nor improved after pregnancy and delivery.....BUT.....I do want to say that I really, really began making healthy lifestyle changes all around after having my daughter and in doing that, even my IC symptoms were more manageable.

Although we all have the same diagnosis of IC you're right in that it's all so individual in the end. We all respond so differently to medications, diet, self-help strategies, pregnancy. As frightening as it was for me (at times) to be IC-pregnant and then the mother of a newborn I have never regretted it for even a moment....and would gladly do it all over again for her.

I understand the difficulty of standing where you are right now..so many unknowns...so little answers. I hope you'll find some strength in knowing that there are those who have walked your path and they will be here to support you.