Hi, everyone. I'm less than a week away from step 2 of 3 and my surgeon had mentioned something about how he was concerned about "fecundity" or my ability to reproduce. I was wondering if anyone out there knows if the chances of conceiving are higher if you have the surgery done laproscopically? I'm trying really hard to stay positive about this because I've wanted kids my entire life- literally. When people asked that question what do you want to be when you grow up I said, "A mommy." So it's something I've longed for since I can remember. I've always had irregular periods and after my first procedure my periods were regular for about 6 months or so and then went back to being every 34-43 days, so I'm not really sure what that means. I know that women get pregnant with irregular periods all the time but these are extenuating circumstances. I hear a lot of success stories about women with J-Pouches getting pregnant, but almost every doc I have talked to seems to think that if I want children I should have them before the surgery. I've chosen not to go that route because I still have a 6 inch rectal stump that has developed polyps and I want it removed before I have babies because I don't feel right going through recovery while trying to care for an infant. I just wonder if I'm doing the right thing and if there is a better possibility of conceiving having laproscopic surgery versus being cut open? Sorry this is so long. Thank you.

Jojo

from what I understand, a laproscopic procedure leaves you with a lower risk of scar tissue and therefore a lesser risk of the surgery messing with your fertility. That being said, just because you have open surgery doesn't mean that your fertility will be compromised. There is just no way to know so they prepare people by letting them know the risks.
I know I had a GI marvel that I was pregnant because it was his understanding that having j-pouch surgery reduced my fertility so significantly...but it's not a given, it's just a possibility. I have a 2 1/2 year old that I had with my j-pouch and now (4 abdominal surgeries later) I am pregnant with a second with no medical intervention. I think it is wise to feel that you are healthy and prepared to care for the children you want. If they offer lapro then you should do it to reduce the possibility of scarring, but don't assume that you have ruined your fertility or your chance at a family. There are many options.

Jojo -
Like Marcene, I just found out I was pregnant with my first. I've had 5 open surgeries, all in which my CR surgeon has been sure to be very careful with protecting my future reproductive chances, and specifically placed a "mesh" product over my ovaries to try and prevent scar tissue forming. This being said, we do not ever know how one's body reacts to any surgery, and what type of scar tissue forms - each person is very different.
I was very lucky in the fact that during my last few open surgies, the doctors had seen little to no scaring. But that being said, we were prepared for the worst when trying to get pregnant, and aware of all of our options. We were lucky enough to get pregnant the first month of trying.
Make sure before you start trying that you are healthy, and feel good. My last surgery was Sept 2009, and I this is the BEST I've felt in almost 5 years. My bloodwork is looking good (I have iron deficiency anemia), and my body is functioning as properly as possible. The fistulas were gone - no pain - weight gain (finally - too much now though!).
So, that all being said - make sure your surgeon is aware of your desires of having children. Talk openly with them about a possible future timeline, and work with them, your GI, and your GP. It's a combined effort in getting you healthy and able to carry that baby. Your body will let you know when it's ready!
--Allyson

I guess I have been worried about it because my period is so weird, and my husband and I did try for about 8 months before I decided to have the surgery, but I keep trying to tell myself that didn't happen because it wasn't the right time. And I know that the more you want it, the harder it is, right? Because your body starts acting weird. I think that's what happened so I'm going to try really hard to focus on getting well and hopefully, when the time is right, nature will select me to bring another life into this world. *fingers crossed* Thank you for your advice. It's really helpful.

I've had two healthy girls with my j-pouch (c-sections). The first was about four years after my open j-pouch surgeries. For her, we tried for about a year and were just beginning to wonder about fertility when we ended up pregnant. With daughter #2, we got pregnant the first try.