I just got a total colectomy and I am waiting to have the J Pouch constructed in a few months. But I want to get pregnant cause the time is right for my husband and I. But I was wondering if it would be easier to do it while I have the bag or wait til I heal from my next surgeries? Any input?

I just had my twins 3 months ago. I have the bag. I went thru the pregnancy with my boys and didn't really have any problems with the bag but had some close calls with blockages. I just had to watch what I eat to prevent blockage. When you are further along you would need ur DH to help you change your bag. I had my dh to do it for me because I couldn't see it with my huge belly. We did it before the take down because we were faced with the possibility of losing my ovaries due to infection and decided to go thru IVF right away and freeze any embryos we have and try to see if we can get pregnant. We were very lucky to get pregnant on the first try. I couldn't get pregnant all those years. The dr told me it was due to scar tissues but my dr who did the c section said it looks great and barely any c section so now I am left wondering maybe we did the deed at the wrong timing?? I didn't find out that I had my cycle days all wrong till I met with my RE (IVF) dr.

You do what you and ur DH feels is right. There is no harm getting pregnant with bag or without bag. I would do it again. Good luck!

Autumn
Landon & Tristan (3 months old)

Jen I d think it would be easier to get pregnant with a bag,,J pouch surgery is invasive and it may leave scarring in the pelvic area. Also it takes so long to get the pouch working properly you wouldnt want to compromise it's sucess by getting pregnant too soon. I d go for it now.
x

Thank you for the imput. I am afraid with the take down that I wont be as lucky to concieve. I really appreciate your advice ladies!

Jen

Get yourself some ultra sensitive home pregnanacy testing sticks:
http://www.accessdiagnostics.co.uk/
I have soem at home as my periods are irregular and i dont like to wonder.You may wish to know asap

I would go for it now. There are a lot of us having problems that are likely due to scar tissue from the surgery. Recent journal articles suggest the surgery can triple your risk of infertility and that doctors should advise their patients thusly. They didn't know it was that big of a risk back when I had it, but I didn't really have much of a choice, I couldn't have waited another 15 years. Best of luck.