Re: pregnancy and SCD

[Guest guest]

I did a version of it when I was pregnant both times. Not nearly as strict but similar. What do you need to know? Hello, I'm looking to connect with anyone who is currently pregnant and doing SCD or has been on SCD through a previous pregnancy. Thanks,

[Guest guest]

I did SCD with my second pregnancy. Do you have questions or concerns? Amy

Hello, I'm looking to connect with anyone who is currently pregnant and doing SCD or has been on SCD through a previous pregnancy. Thanks,

[Guest guest]

On a related note - I'd be appreciative to hear how the pregnancy went for any women w/ Crohn's or UC? Feel better, same, worse? Were you on any meds? Also, does anyone know the likelihood of passing it on to the child.

Thanks,

Tasha

I did SCD with my second pregnancy. Do you have questions or concerns? Amy

[Guest guest]

I was asacol with the first child and asacol and rowasa with the second. I was stable throughout both pregnancies with no flares but it was a little up and down depending on what foods I ate. I loved muffins and sweet thing. After giving birth I drank a glass of red wine and had some bread and butter chocolate pudding which started a six month flare and got me on 6mp! So avoid bread and butter pudding! On a related note - I'd be appreciative to hear how the pregnancy went for any women w/ Crohn's or UC? Feel better, same, worse? Were you on any meds? Also, does anyone know the likelihood of passing it on to the child. Thanks,TashaI did SCD with my second pregnancy. Do you have questions or concerns? Amy

[Guest guest]

At 07:36 AM 8/17/2010, you wrote:

On a related note - I'd be

appreciative to hear how the pregnancy went for any women w/ Crohn's or

UC? Feel better, same, worse? Were you on any meds?

Also, does anyone know the likelihood of passing it on to the

child.

There have been a number of pregnancies on the SCD lists over the years.

So far as I know, all the pregnancies went well -- although the general

recommendation is to have a spare cook handy, as the first few months one

is likely to be sensitive to odors, and not feel like doing the

cooking.

Elaine used to say she would have had an easier time marketing SCD if

she'd called it " the fertility diet, " since the improvement in

one's health is so dramatic that many women who thought they couldn't get

pregnant actually do. (This happened with my niece, who is now the Mom of

two fine boys.)

—

Marilyn

New

Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Undiagnosed IBS since 1976, SCD since 2001

Darn Good SCD Cook

No Human Children

Shadow & Sunny Longhair Dachshund

Babette the Foundling Beagle

[Guest guest]

Thanks for sharing...I am currently on Asacol and LDN. Are both of your children IBD-free?

To: BTVC-SCD Sent: Tue, August 17, 2010 9:47:52 AMSubject: Re: pregnancy and SCD

[Guest guest]

Yes thank God. Thanks for sharing...I am currently on Asacol and LDN. Are both of your children IBD-free?To: BTVC-SCD Sent: Tue, August 17, 2010 9:47:52 AMSubject: Re: pregnancy and SCD

[Guest guest]

Hello all,

Thank you all for the responses so far!

It is encouraging to hear others have done well on scd throughout pregnancy. I

have been on SCD for over two years now and am hoping to concieve in the next

few months.

I have some concern as to whether I will be able to get enough calories

throughout my pregnancy on scd. I understand many women are nauseated through

the first trimester of their pregnancy. I suspect this will be a problem for me

but hope I am wrong! I am 5'6 " and weigh 115lbs currently so I don't have too

much to loose! I follow a mostly dairy free version of the diet however I can

occasionally tolerate goat milk products. I can occasionally eat beans but not

lentils and tolerate a little well cooked fruit ever other day. Have those of

you who have been on SCD through pregnancy had any problems gaining weight?

I am also wondering if others have had any problem with cravings while pregnant

and on SCD. I have faithfully followed the diet for the two years I have been

on it but I am a little concerned I will be left wanting for non-SCD items while

pregnant.

Any input is appreciated!

SCD 2years

lactose and gluten intolerance, IBS-D

[Guest guest]

I gained weight so don't worry. You will get fat! YOu will find things on the diet to feed your cravings. Lucy at Lucy's cook shop told me about some amazing cookies etc. You only feel sick in the first three months and then you will feel great. Remember don't stress out. Babies are fun! Hello all, Thank you all for the responses so far! It is encouraging to hear others have done well on scd throughout pregnancy. I have been on SCD for over two years now and am hoping to concieve in the next few months. I have some concern as to whether I will be able to get enough calories throughout my pregnancy on scd. I understand many women are nauseated through the first trimester of their pregnancy. I suspect this will be a problem for me but hope I am wrong! I am 5'6" and weigh 115lbs currently so I don't have too much to loose! I follow a mostly dairy free version of the diet however I can occasionally tolerate goat milk products. I can occasionally eat beans but not lentils and tolerate a little well cooked fruit ever other day. Have those of you who have been on SCD through pregnancy had any problems gaining weight? I am also wondering if others have had any problem with cravings while pregnant and on SCD. I have faithfully followed the diet for the two years I have been on it but I am a little concerned I will be left wanting for non-SCD items while pregnant. Any input is appreciated! SCD 2years lactose and gluten intolerance, IBS-D

[Guest guest]

I have some concern as to whether I will be able to get enough calories throughout my pregnancy on scd. I understand many women are nauseated through the first trimester of their pregnancy. I suspect this will be a problem for me but hope I am wrong! I am 5'6" and weigh 115lbs currently so I don't have too much to loose! I follow a mostly dairy free version of the diet however I can occasionally tolerate goat milk products. I can occasionally eat beans but not lentils and tolerate a little well cooked fruit ever other day. Have those of you who have been on SCD through pregnancy had any problems gaining weight?Hi ,From Elaine:PREGNANCY But I can assure you if you take the whole family of B vitamins as in my book with a few extra mcg (micrograms of folic acid) you will have the most nutritious diet in the whole wide world. All our SCD babies were great and the pregnancies were normal - no toxemia. But you must concentrate on eating lots of legal carbohydrates along with protein and fat. Otherwise the baby will be healthy but may be a bit smaller. It does not always happen but has happened once or twice.Make sure one has adequate legal carbs when pregnant, but it's pretty easy to satisfy any possible requirement for carbs by eating a banana in yoghurt at one meal, and some berries at another, I would think. Certainly, two bananas a day would give one a very large (and more than adequate) dose of carbs, even for pregnancy.Great care was made by Dr. Sidney Valentine Haas to include the foods in SCD™which, when used intelligently, would comprise a well balanced, healthful, therapeutic diet. I worked very hard, even on the infant formula (Available in Breaking the Vicious Cycle) to do the same. Many of you were a bit disturbed with me when I became emphatic (ballistic) when members of the list kept pushing a low carobohydrate diet and I even threatened to take it to the courts because SCD™is not a low carb diet. Four months into my pregnancy, I'm feeling really great. And I have lots of hope that the SCD will get me through any postnatal hormonal fluctuations. My healthcare team has been supportive about my new diet. Here are a few tips for any women out there on the SCD who are thinking about getting pregnant:SCD-legal prenatal vitamins can be ordered through Kirkman Labs. The product is called Prenatals.If your OB wants you to do a screen for diabetes, don't let the lab give you glucose syrup (sugar water). Request to do the bloodwork 1 hour after a meal instead.Consult with a prenatal nutritionist: bring a week-long food diary; a copy of "Breaking The Vicious Cycle"; the label for your prenatal vitamins; and a nutrition breakdown for almond flour, which you can get from lucyskitchenshop.com if you ask Lucy for it. My nutritionist helped me make sure I'm getting the right balance for myself and the baby.Check with your birthing hospital to see if they can meet your special dietary needs. If not, plan to bring your own food and find out if there is a fridge you can use.Something I haven't done yet but plan to do: in the last month before your due date, bake a ton of almond flour goodies (if you can tolerate them) and some SCD-legal meals and freeze them. Then you won't have to stress (as much) when you get home from the hospital.Yes! Here's what Elaine says. The carbohydrates that we consider legal in SCD are plentiful but are easily absorbed as they required minimal digestive capability. There have been many, many SCD babies born. Mothers were on SCD throughout pregnancy and some were big and some were normal (7-8 lbs and some were a bit less than 7 lbs). But as you know, diabetics (on insulin, not considered people in the best of health) have unusually fat babies. I understand it is because of high sugar levels. On the other side if you are pregnant and do not eat enough simple carbs, I believe it can be dangerous to the point where you will have a smaller baby and I will not go into the unending debate about just burning fat and protein. So, in summary, the SCD diet has proven healthful for pregnancy provided that you have sufficient LEGAL CARBOHYDRATES. For example, homemade applesauce if you cannot handle raw apples. Homemade muffins if you cannot eat grains. etc. etc. etc.Here's what says. I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease 7 years ago, and made the decision to go on SCD at the end of August last year. I can honestly say it was the best decision I have ever made! My symptoms cleared up almost immediately, fortunately (not everyone feels so good so quickly), and I am now 8 weeks pregnant! I, too, had lots of questions about the diet and pregnancy, especially since my cravings were leaning toward "illegal" foods. That is actually how I came to the list as well. I have been assured by everyone on the list that the SCD IS THE HEALTHIEST THING I CAN DO FOR ME AND MY BABY. I also talked it over with my doctor, and after giving her a food journal of what I eat, she was amazed at how incredibly HEALTHY the diet is. So everything is a-ok, and although it has taken some time to learn about foods and how to prepare everything from "scratch", and it definitely takes perserverence and courage to maintain, I am very sure that this is the way I want to live, and want my baby to live. Remember, when you have a disease that is characterized by malabsorbtion, anything you eat that cannot be digested properly will NOT feed you, and therefore NOT feed your baby!!!!!

[Guest guest]

Hi Tasha:

First, I'd like to start off by suggesting a tremendously helpful website I

followed for the first few years after I was diagnosed with Crohn's:

www.ibdsucks.org

It is loaded with discussions about different meds, peoples' stories about their

disease. VERY helpful.

To answer you, in short: I was diagnosed with CD in '98. Had my first child in

'05 and am now expecting my second child before the end of this year.

The long: Before my first pregnancy, my disease was highly cyclical. I'd go for

a year or so with minimal discomfort or symptoms but then flare quickly and

viciously, usually having to have a blood transfusion as a result. I maintained

my CD with Asacol and Prednisone.

With my first pregnancy I actually mistook my morning sickness symptoms as the

start of another bad flare. The first three months of that pregnancy were

difficult (I ended up having a blood transfusion), but maintained it with my

meds. By my fourth month I was full of more energy and strength than I'd felt in

years and was able to finish out my pregnancy drug free (and I was a full time

design student at the time).

Three months after my child was born, my milk began to dry up and symptoms

started to present themselves. This led to the worst flare I'd ever had and,

more scary, none of the medications that had worked for me previously seemed to

be working. For the first time I had to consider Remicade/Humira and Lialda. I

have been in a constant state of flare (no remission) ever since that time.

I was somewhat hopeful that this second pregnancy would pan out like the first

in that my symptoms would dissipate after the first trimester. No luck. It

didn't get worse, but it hasn't gone away either. I was motivated to at least

try the SCD diet at this point because as my third trimester is upon me, I am

faced with discontinuing the Humira treatments in order to allow my second

child's immune system to come out of suppression. I am trying to do

'preventative maintenance', so to speak, in order to avoid a flare up during my

final trimester (and being faced with having to take another more 'scary'

medication). And, of course, who knows what the aftermath of delivery will

bring? Will I be bedridden? Will my CD go into remission for years? It's a crap

shoot and I won't know 'til I get there.

What I've learned from talking to others (and reading posts): no two pregnancies

are ever alike with healthy women, and the same is true for those with CD/IBD.

You can be sick as a dog during the first one, then symptom free the second. Or

vice versa. You can go into long term remission after you have your child or you

can be sicker than you've ever been. Since researchers STILL aren't 100% sure

about the ins and outs of the disease, they don't have any explanation... it

just is what it is.

And, also because of that lack of knowledge, I gather that researchers still

aren't all that sure about what causes CD/IBD to know if it's passed on or not.

If a parent has it, it certainly is a bit more likely that your child may have

issues with it. Recent research does show that their might be a gene that causes

susceptibility to such disease. However, this hasn't been 100% lauded as

'truth'.

When I was first diagnosed with CD I was young and single. As I learned more

about the disease, I expressed my fears and concerns to my GI, especially about

passing along something as awful as CD to a child. He was an amazing man. He

smiled as he looked at me and in a nutshell said to me: You know, with the

billions upon billions of genes that make each of us up, there are so many

infinite possibilities that one of those things could get goofed up and cause

some sort of medical issue or birth defect. ly, each healthy problem free

birth is a miracle. And yet " healthy " births are the norm, not the exception.

You CAN worry about it. But you could also worry that your child will be blind,

etc. The odds really aren't all that much more or less than whether your child

could have CD. Who by worrying adds a minute to their day? And how will your

worry change the outcome? Don't let your CD cause you to live your life dictated

by insecurities and fear. Live your life and deal with the CD when it rears its

ugly head but then let it go. Enjoy life and don't shun the joy of parenthood

because of a fear of what MIGHT be.

I feel anxious sometimes when my 5 year-old has a bout of diarrhea. But she's

strong, healthy, beautiful and vibrant. If, worse case scenario she DOES end up

with CD some day, I hope I'll have been an example of how to work through it and

be a support to her as she deals with the challenge herself. That's all I can

do. Same with the arrival of my next child.

Sorry. Stepped up on my soapbox. Hope that windy response was

helpful/informative. - K.

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[Guest guest]

Marilyn, how do I unsubscrube?

From:

BTVC-SCD [mailto:BTVC-SCD ] On Behalf Of Wizop Marilyn L. Alm

Sent: Tuesday, August 17, 2010

12:09 PM

To: BTVC-SCD

Subject: Re: pregnancy

and SCD

At 07:36

AM 8/17/2010, you wrote:

On a related note - I'd be appreciative to hear how the pregnancy went

for any women w/ Crohn's or UC? Feel better, same, worse? Were you

on any meds? Also, does anyone know the likelihood of passing it on to

the child.

There have been a number of pregnancies on the SCD lists over the years. So far

as I know, all the pregnancies went well -- although the general recommendation

is to have a spare cook handy, as the first few months one is likely to be

sensitive to odors, and not feel like doing the cooking.

Elaine used to say she would have had an easier time marketing SCD if she'd

called it " the fertility diet, " since the improvement in one's health

is so dramatic that many women who thought they couldn't get pregnant actually

do. (This happened with my niece, who is now the Mom of two fine boys.)

— Marilyn

New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Undiagnosed IBS since 1976, SCD since 2001

Darn Good SCD Cook

No Human Children

Shadow & Sunny Longhair Dachshund

Babette the Foundling Beagle

[Guest guest]

Kate, thank you very much for sharing your experience. My diagnosis has changed over the years - 1st in 2003 I was told I had UC, then a few months later CD, and just recently after a colonoscopy UC...for me, I try to not let it define who I am, and really it's more about maintaining my wellness and how I feel than the label. It indeed can be a challenge, but I also try to see the gift in it for all I've learned and the amazing support of groups like this.

My fiance and I have not decided about children yet, so I'm just trying to become informed.

Good luck w/ your current pregnancy and wellness going forward!

Tasha

To: BTVC-SCD Sent: Tue, August 17, 2010 7:56:27 PMSubject: Re: pregnancy and SCD

Hi Tasha:First, I'd like to start off by suggesting a tremendously helpful website I followed for the first few years after I was diagnosed with Crohn's: www.ibdsucks.orgIt is loaded with discussions about different meds, peoples' stories about their disease. VERY helpful.To answer you, in short: I was diagnosed with CD in '98. Had my first child in '05 and am now expecting my second child before the end of this year.The long: Before my first pregnancy, my disease was highly cyclical. I'd go for a year or so with minimal discomfort or symptoms but then flare quickly and viciously, usually having to have a blood transfusion as a result. I maintained my CD with Asacol and Prednisone.With my first pregnancy I actually mistook my morning sickness symptoms as the start of another bad flare. The first three months of that pregnancy were difficult (I ended up having

a blood transfusion), but maintained it with my meds. By my fourth month I was full of more energy and strength than I'd felt in years and was able to finish out my pregnancy drug free (and I was a full time design student at the time).Three months after my child was born, my milk began to dry up and symptoms started to present themselves. This led to the worst flare I'd ever had and, more scary, none of the medications that had worked for me previously seemed to be working. For the first time I had to consider Remicade/Humira and Lialda. I have been in a constant state of flare (no remission) ever since that time.I was somewhat hopeful that this second pregnancy would pan out like the first in that my symptoms would dissipate after the first trimester. No luck. It didn't get worse, but it hasn't gone away either. I was motivated to at least try the SCD diet at this point because as my third trimester is upon me, I am faced with

discontinuing the Humira treatments in order to allow my second child's immune system to come out of suppression. I am trying to do 'preventative maintenance', so to speak, in order to avoid a flare up during my final trimester (and being faced with having to take another more 'scary' medication). And, of course, who knows what the aftermath of delivery will bring? Will I be bedridden? Will my CD go into remission for years? It's a crap shoot and I won't know 'til I get there.What I've learned from talking to others (and reading posts): no two pregnancies are ever alike with healthy women, and the same is true for those with CD/IBD. You can be sick as a dog during the first one, then symptom free the second. Or vice versa. You can go into long term remission after you have your child or you can be sicker than you've ever been. Since researchers STILL aren't 100% sure about the ins and outs of the disease, they don't have any explanation... it

just is what it is.And, also because of that lack of knowledge, I gather that researchers still aren't all that sure about what causes CD/IBD to know if it's passed on or not. If a parent has it, it certainly is a bit more likely that your child may have issues with it. Recent research does show that their might be a gene that causes susceptibility to such disease. However, this hasn't been 100% lauded as 'truth'.When I was first diagnosed with CD I was young and single. As I learned more about the disease, I expressed my fears and concerns to my GI, especially about passing along something as awful as CD to a child. He was an amazing man. He smiled as he looked at me and in a nutshell said to me: You know, with the billions upon billions of genes that make each of us up, there are so many infinite possibilities that one of those things could get goofed up and cause some sort of medical issue or birth defect. ly, each healthy

problem free birth is a miracle. And yet "healthy" births are the norm, not the exception. You CAN worry about it. But you could also worry that your child will be blind, etc. The odds really aren't all that much more or less than whether your child could have CD. Who by worrying adds a minute to their day? And how will your worry change the outcome? Don't let your CD cause you to live your life dictated by insecurities and fear. Live your life and deal with the CD when it rears its ugly head but then let it go. Enjoy life and don't shun the joy of parenthood because of a fear of what MIGHT be.I feel anxious sometimes when my 5 year-old has a bout of diarrhea. But she's strong, healthy, beautiful and vibrant. If, worse case scenario she DOES end up with CD some day, I hope I'll have been an example of how to work through it and be a support to her as she deals with the challenge herself. That's all I can do. Same with the arrival of my next

child. :)Sorry. Stepped up on my soapbox. Hope that windy response was helpful/informative. - K.> >

[Guest guest]

You might want to check out http://www.roboranch.com/ She has been following SCD for Crohn's and has blogged a bit about pregnancy on SCD.Kathttp://scdkat.com

 

Hello,

I'm looking to connect with anyone who is currently pregnant and doing SCD or has been on SCD through a previous pregnancy.

Thanks,

[Guest guest]

At 10:38 PM 8/17/2010, you wrote:

Marilyn, how do I unsubscrube?

The above address is not longer in our membership base.

—

Marilyn

New

Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Undiagnosed IBS since 1976, SCD since 2001

Darn Good SCD Cook

No Human Children

Shadow & Sunny Longhair Dachshund

Babette the Foundling Beagle

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I'm in the fist few weeks of a pregnancy and have been doing SCD since April

2009. Please feel free to be in touch.

>

> >

> >

> > Hello,

> >

> > I'm looking to connect with anyone who is currently pregnant and doing SCD

> > or has been on SCD through a previous pregnancy.

> >

> > Thanks,

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

, would you be willing to share more about your story - how you are feeling? What you are eating? Is this your first child since getting IBD? Are you on meds?

Thanks!

To: BTVC-SCD Sent: Wed, August 18, 2010 10:27:38 PMSubject: Re: pregnancy and SCD

Hi ,I'm in the fist few weeks of a pregnancy and have been doing SCD since April 2009. Please feel free to be in touch.> > >> >> > Hello,> >> > I'm looking to connect with anyone who is currently pregnant and doing SCD> > or has been on SCD through a previous pregnancy.> >> > Thanks,> >> > >

>> > > >>

[Guest guest]

Thank you, Tasha! All the best to you and your fiance, whatever you decide!

CD/UC/IBD definitely make the journey of life all that more interesting! If

anything, it's taught me about the things I took for granted and appreciation of

the seemingly not-so-important nuances of life.

Cheers - Kate

[Guest guest]

Hi , Kate here again (we talked via e-mail). I agree with Kat. That link

to the 'roboranch' site about the Glucose Test was incredibly informative.

My cousin pointed it out to me, I read it and immediately called my GI about it.

She contacted me today and has devised an alternative way for me to have my

blood sugar checked. {phew!}

Three cheers for all the pregnant SCD-ers out there!

-started SCD @ 23 weeks pregnant

-Humira/Lialda, but just took last dose of Humira for sake of baby's immune

system at birth.

>

> You might want to check out http://www.roboranch.com/ She has been following

> SCD for Crohn's and has blogged a bit about pregnancy on SCD.

>

> Kat

> http://scdkat.com

>

[Guest guest]

Yes, happy to share. I'm feeling well, in general.

I'm in the first several weeks of a first pregnancy; I'll know for sure on

Wednesday at my next doctor's appointment.

My OB, my GI, and my high-risk (due to the Crohn's) OB are all on the same page

with my disease, my medications (pentasa and Remicade), and the SCD diet.

My bloodwork looks very good. My last scope was ok; not great...but not bad.

My clinical disease description is " close to clinical remissions. " But, the

scope showed some swelling, some redness, some little ulcers.

My high risk OB sees about 10 pregnant Crohn's patients / month. I am comforted

by his experience and how in touch he seems to be with my GI and OB.

Here's a typical day's SCD eating for me:

Breakfast:

Banana Ice Cream (2 bananas + 1/4 c raw pecans)

1L of Mint Tea

Hard boiled egg

Snack:

Nectarine

Lunch:

Hearty Chicken and Veggie Soup

Snack:

1/2 c yogurt with berries

Dinner:

Small portion of meat/chicken/fish

2-3 veggies

Dessert:

2 coconut date rolls

I'm eating lots of fruit...wish I could substitute more veggies for the fruit.

It is a constant struggle for me; I really crave the sweetness/snackability of

fruit.

I keep a SUD scale for my BMs. I think it is called a Standard Units of

Distress scale. Where I've outlined with my own descriptions a 1-10 point scale

of worst BM ever (1) to best BM ever (10) and every time I have a BM I jot the

best fit description in my calendar. Since the pregnancy, I have mostly been 7s

or above, which is GREAT. BTW, a SUD scale and record is one of THE BEST ways

to share with your GI and other doctors how you're doing month to month--really

best the " Oh, I've been OK " description. I can share my scale if anyone's

interested.

The biggest adjustment: I'm shocked by how tired I am by noon. I'm trying to

nap regularly.

That's it for now. Trying to balance being excited and cautious as I'm still in

the 1st half of the 1st trimester.

All the best,

> >

> > >

> > >

> > > Hello,

> > >

> > > I'm looking to connect with anyone who is currently pregnant and doing SCD

> > > or has been on SCD through a previous pregnancy.

> > >

> > > Thanks,

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Thank you so much for sharing! I know you'll be busy preparing and such, but if you wouldn't mind giving monthly updates I imagine more than myself would be appreciative.

Best of luck!

To: BTVC-SCD Sent: Fri, August 20, 2010 1:50:10 PMSubject: Re: pregnancy and SCD

Yes, happy to share. I'm feeling well, in general.I'm in the first several weeks of a first pregnancy; I'll know for sure on Wednesday at my next doctor's appointment.My OB, my GI, and my high-risk (due to the Crohn's) OB are all on the same page with my disease, my medications (pentasa and Remicade), and the SCD diet.My bloodwork looks very good. My last scope was ok; not great...but not bad. My clinical disease description is "close to clinical remissions." But, the scope showed some swelling, some redness, some little ulcers.My high risk OB sees about 10 pregnant Crohn's patients / month. I am comforted by his experience and how in touch he seems to be with my GI and OB. Here's a typical day's SCD eating for me:Breakfast:Banana Ice Cream (2 bananas + 1/4 c raw pecans)1L of Mint TeaHard boiled eggSnack:NectarineLunch:Hearty Chicken and Veggie

SoupSnack:1/2 c yogurt with berriesDinner:Small portion of meat/chicken/fish2-3 veggiesDessert:2 coconut date rollsI'm eating lots of fruit...wish I could substitute more veggies for the fruit. It is a constant struggle for me; I really crave the sweetness/snackability of fruit.I keep a SUD scale for my BMs. I think it is called a Standard Units of Distress scale. Where I've outlined with my own descriptions a 1-10 point scale of worst BM ever (1) to best BM ever (10) and every time I have a BM I jot the best fit description in my calendar. Since the pregnancy, I have mostly been 7s or above, which is GREAT. BTW, a SUD scale and record is one of THE BEST ways to share with your GI and other doctors how you're doing month to month--really best the "Oh, I've been OK" description. I can share my scale if anyone's interested.The biggest adjustment: I'm shocked by how tired I am by noon. I'm

trying to nap regularly.That's it for now. Trying to balance being excited and cautious as I'm still in the 1st half of the 1st trimester.All the best,> > > > >> > >> > > Hello,> > >> > > I'm looking to connect with anyone

who is currently pregnant and doing SCD> > > or has been on SCD through a previous pregnancy.> > >> > > Thanks,> > >> > > > > >> > > > > >> >>

[Guest guest]

Hi -

Thank you so much for sharing your experience! Would you mind telling us more

about the scale? I use a makeshift chart, but my doctor wouldn't understand it-

just something that I use.

I am looking forward to being healthy enough to get pregnant in a few years, but

I don't think I'll be totally healed. It is comforting to see someone having

good SCD results, but also on meds and just going for it!

Best,

Joanna

SCD 9/2009, Crohn's 1992, 20mg Prednisone

[Guest guest]

Hi Joanna,

Happy to share. And, though in some ways you are right, I am " just going for

it " in other ways that has not been the case at all.

I started talking pregnancy with my doctors at least 3 years ago. For two

years, I've been following leading Crohn's/OB folks on what they think of

Remicade and pregnancy. All top folks seems to say, STAY ON the Remicade...work

with a specialist to time the last does and plan the post-natal infusions.

Initially, I had assumed that I would " work hard " to get drug free before trying

to conceive. I was really surprised that this isn't commonly recommended.

And, because I was given the " close to clinical remission " diagnosis from my GI,

I was confident to begin trying. This diagnosis was key. As the stats for

folks in " clinical remission " and successful pregnancies are really good.

So...that said...I will certainly keep you posted. And, here is more on my

scale:

JENNIFER's STANDARD UNITS OF DISTRESS (SUD) SCALE

1. Pure liquid red blood passing

2. Liquid or somewhat formed stool with blood

3. Pure liquid/hot stool with urgency

4. Pure liquid stool

5. Soft/barely formed stool with urgency

6. Soft/barely formed some liquid

7. Soft/barely formed, passes w/o " trying "

8. Formed stool, passes w/ " trying " and not feeling " all clear "

9. Formed w/ some soft formed passes w/o trying and feeling " all clear "

10. Formed stool, passes in a.m. w/o trying and feeling " all clear "

So, every time I have a BM, I write the number in my calendar. If the BM is

after 12 noon, I draw a line above it. I always feel best with a stool that

passes in the a.m. and so I like to make that distinction.

The key with having a SUD scale is that it is personal to you. Be as

descriptive as possible, yet keep it simple enough to minimize the labor of

keeping a record.

Keeping a SUD record allows me to show frequency, am v pm, and quality of stool.

I also mark if there was NO BM to make sure that it wasn't the case that I just

forgot to mark it down.

I share my SUD scale description with my doctors and then provide them a copy of

my SUD records for my files and for our discussions. It's great; really helps

me engage in productive discussions.

All the best,

>

> Hi -

> Thank you so much for sharing your experience! Would you mind telling us more

about the scale? I use a makeshift chart, but my doctor wouldn't understand it-

just something that I use.

> I am looking forward to being healthy enough to get pregnant in a few years,

but I don't think I'll be totally healed. It is comforting to see someone having

good SCD results, but also on meds and just going for it!

> Best,

> Joanna

> SCD 9/2009, Crohn's 1992, 20mg Prednisone

>

[Guest guest]

Hey again!

I love your scale! It makes total sense. I think I can take the chart I've been

using and personalize it to my symptoms. What a great idea- they should create

an international SUD scale for all of us so we can speak the same language

It is so cool to see how far we've come with medications- that it is okay to

maintain them through pregnancy. My GI has always assured me that being on 20mg

or less of prednisone is even okay, but that makes me nervous for some reason.

Although, we have a family friend who has done it several times and given birth

to very healthy babies. I've also been discussing the idea for a few years, but

have always been scared that I wouldn't be able to nourish the baby properly.

Drugs or no drugs, this diet is the first glimmer of hope for me to really clear

up the bleeding and inflammation and start absorbing nutrients like a " normal "

person! Go SCD!

-Joanna

> >

> > Hi -

> > Thank you so much for sharing your experience! Would you mind telling us

more about the scale? I use a makeshift chart, but my doctor wouldn't understand

it- just something that I use.

> > I am looking forward to being healthy enough to get pregnant in a few years,

but I don't think I'll be totally healed. It is comforting to see someone having

good SCD results, but also on meds and just going for it!

> > Best,

> > Joanna

> > SCD 9/2009, Crohn's 1992, 20mg Prednisone

> >

>

[Guest guest]

What a great idea- they should create an international SUD scale for all of us so we can speak the same language Hi Joanna,Actually, there is an international scale but it's not too detailed.See: http://thewvsr.com/bristolstoolchart.htmTake care,Pat