Ok, so here is something mostly for you ladies out there who have had children, hopefully before your first surgery. I was wondering if having UC for a period of time and then having j-pouch surgery is easier, worse, or even comparable to childbirth.

I only ask because I feel like I have been through the whole process, but have no child to show for it. I am a 20 year old male, and just recently had my reversal back in January. The thing is too, my sister was pregnant with her first child as I was dealing with UC and surgery, and I just happen to be living with her at the time. So we liked to compare our days.

So getting back to my point, I feel like I have had the entire experience. I have had the bleeding issue (period). I have had cravings and munchies from the steroids. I’ve had ultrasounds, dilations, stretch marks (which I do hate), morning sickness, epidural, the surgery you can count as a C-section or something. I don’t know. I guess I just want to be able to look at my wife someday and say, “I know how you feel, no really, I do.”

No comparison! After childbirth you have a little baby to cuddle and love. After childbirth you start a college savings account. After childbirth you have to get up even when you don't want to in the middle of the night. . . whoa! I guess that last one is a wash.

I would have gone through childbirth again if I could, if it meant I could have surpassed all this! And I had a long, hard 42 hour labor, all natural, no painkillers. But after it was all done I had a gorgeous daughter, who is now about to take the steps to make me a grandmother. After my surgeries all I had were a bunch of ugly scars. And a kid only hangs around about 18-21 years.

I'd take childbirth anyday.

I recall one thing my Dr told me 35 years ago. The pain you are experiencing with UC is worse than labor pains.
That is the comparison.
The difference is the UC pain is neverending. After labor the pain is gone.Until the baby turns into a teenager, then it;s a new pain for several years!LOL!My son is 21 and has been sick with UC since 16, but now 9 surgeries later he is getting better!

After my surgery (#1) I had some sort of blockage that caused wicked horrible cramps that would come every minute or so and then subside. All I could compare them to were labor pains. And in some ways the surgery was like the 2 cesareans I had, but with I took a lot longer to recover from the JPouch surgery. And I agree with the others, with the labor and birth I had support people with me, the knowledge that the pain was serving a good purpose, and the wonderful end result that eclipsed the pain. So, yes, when your wife is pregnant and going through hard times, you can certainly be sympathetic and try to remember your own hard times. I'm not sure it would help for you to say you know how she feels, women can be very sensitive and cranky when pregnant and she might not want to hear that! But you will know to be so very patient with her and understanding because you've been through hard times yourself.
Jenny

No comparison. I had two children and I would have much rather had another than to deal with UC, surgeries and now the pouch.

Yes, the pain is much different and worse with UC than labour. At least with labour you know it will end some time and you have a beautiful baby to love and help you forget about the pain.

I had no pain for 18 years with UC - just non stop loose stools that never went into remission. The recovery from my colectomy physically felt like recovery from my c-section - each was a recovery from major abdominal surgery.

Alright then. thanks for responding to my question. i have always wondered if the two were similar or comparable. But i guess i'd better not say i've had an experience simmilar to having a child. It sounds like surgery is much worse and much different than children. Except you do have to deal with both of them for a few years afterwards.

The pain involved with having a complete small bowel obstruction was far worse for me than were the pains of childbirth. At least during labor there is let up every few minutes. Bowel obstruction pain escalates and stays there. For me, it was days! Demerol was my only relief to the pain of obstruction. Lots and lots of demerol!