It does not matter if you are a male or female you can still safely have children even though you suffer from Crohn’s Disease. If you have Crohn’s Disease your chances of becoming pregnant is about the same as a woman who is of normal health. You may find, though, the when you are going through a flare up of Crohn’s Disease that your fertility is a bit lower.
When you are taking certain medications then it can affect your fertility and lower your chance of a Crohn's Disease pregnancy. Medications like sulfasalazine (Azulfadine), can cause temporary infertility in about 60% of men. Once you stop taking the medication after about two months your fertility should get back to normal.
If you want to have children and you are on medication, talk to your doctor first so you take the correct steps, to ensure the best chance of you or your partner getting pregnant. This is also the best way to ensure that you and your baby will be safe throughout your pregnancy. So, be sure to bring up all concerns with your physician.
Risks for miscarriage, still births and congenital abnormality having Crohn’s Disease are the same as everyone else in the population, no increased risk from having Crohn’s Disease has been found.
Remember that there are people who have no medical condition that have a problem getting pregnant, there are about 1 in 7 couples that have issues with fertility. If you are having trouble getting pregnant, it may not be because you or your partner has Crohn’s Disease.
You should not try to get pregnant during a Crohn’s Disease flare up. You should wait until you are in a period of remission and feeling healthy and strong. Fertility can be compromised while you are experiencing a flare up.
This can be due to improper diet or problems associated with low weight. Your body may not be able to handle conception and pregnancy in this condition. If you become pregnant when you are having a flare up or bad inflammation then you can have problems throughout your pregnancy.
Even though you have Crohn’s Disease you can have an uncomplicated pregnancy, but be sure that you take the right steps with your doctor or other health care providers to make sure that everything goes smoothly.
If you still worry about getting pregnant with Crohn’s Disease, then you can go to your local Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis support group. They will be able to give you information about Crohn’s Disease and pregnancy.
They can put you in contact with women who have gone through pregnancy with Crohn’s Disease. Reaching out to others who have faced the same obstacles can help you to feel more comfortable about having a healthy pregnancy even though you have Crohn’s Disease.
