I was completely healthy until I gave birth to my first child. I delivered Ryan in June 2006 and was dignosed with UC 11 weeks later. I had J pouch surgery in Sept 2007. I have had pouchitis a few times but think I am finally getting over it. My question is...we really want to have another baby. My GI told me that I should be happy with what I have right now. I am turing 33 on Monday and feel like the clock is ticking. How long should I wait before trying again? I feel like if my fertilty is decreased then i should try soon. I know I need to be healthy but I need some advice. Do I listen to my GI or follow my heart?

I would press your GI to find out why he thinks you shouldn't have more children. Plenty of pouch women have had successful pregnancies - I'm a failed poucher with a perm ileo and I had one successful pregnancy and am pregnant again. None of my drs expressed any concern about me getting pregnant either time.

I would definitely wait 1 year post surgery, though I know some drs say you can do it earlier. I just think your body hasn't completely adjusted and settled down until 1 year out. That said, if you have pouchitis issues you'll need to time things around a good period as many of the pouchitis treatments are contraindicated for pregnancy.

Don't worry about the age issue too much...I was 34 when I conceived the first time, 36 the second time...we did do IVF, but we aren't yet considered old...

This is a tough one! You need to follow your heart...but of course your heart doesn't want you to put yourself and a baby at risk if your body isn't ready for it. Wait until you feel healthy...and stay healthy for at least 6 months(this is just my number)and then approach your GI again with your want to get pregnant. Your fertility will not make a dramatic shift against your favor in 6 months. I was not doing so hot when I got pregnant in Jan 07 and this meant that I couldn't recieve the steriods and antibiotics that would have easily put my problems to rest. Instead I was in a lot of pain my whole first trimester until those medications were considered safe.