I had my constuction almost 3 years ago. I am 13 weeks pregnant and 36, I have not had my baby obviously. My colon doctor suggested I have a C section to protect and not do damage to my pouch. I am going to do what he says because their is a reason they are telling us to do this. My pouch is perfect and I don't want to hurt it of give it any reason to have incontinence. Just IMO. Good luck in your decision.

I think a major factor in your decision is whether or not this is your first pregnancy. Women who have had prior successful vaginal deliveries have a bit of an edge in regard to knowing how their labor and delivery will go. If this is your first, then lots of unknowns.

I had my two boys before my j-pouch. If I had known my future, I would have opted for c-sections. My first was a c-section for obstetrical reasons (breech). I chose vaginal for my second, and as it turned out, he was nearly 10 pounds and I wound up with 4th degree lacerations into the rectum. I healed well, but nearly 20 years later wound up with both rectocele and cystocele. I am not incontinent (yet), but I do have concerns for my golden years...

Jan

I got my pouch in 1990 and gave vaginal birth at age 30 in 1999. I tore badly and have had incontinence ever since. It has improved over the years and is improving moreso now that I have found this board and treatment options.

I was told prior to my colectomy that pregnancy and vaginal birth would be no problem.

Two years after my pouch I had adhesions removed. Because of my scar tissue history the OB didn't want to do a C Section.

If I knew then what I know now, I would have pushed for the C Section.

I, too, worry about my golden years.

My situation was different in that I had a perm ileo after failed j-pouch when I had my babies (at ages 34 and 37). However, I still opted for a c-section because my high risk OB - who was willing to have me try for a vaginal birth - told me that if I needed an emergency c-section, he would be less able to think and care for my bowels. WIth a planned c-section, he felt he could be more thoughtful and careful with my internal geography.

Of course, the issues with the j-pouch are not about damage to the pouch, but long term continence related, which was a non issue for me. However, I felt that having the dr be able to take his time with a c-section was more advantageous than the risks of the c-section. Both deliveries were perfectly uneventful (aside from the arrival of the bambinos!) and I had remarkably little scar tissue after four abdominal surgeries so my sections took no longer than a regular planned c-section.

I got my pouch in 1995, I was 25. I had my son when I was 39 (pregnant via IVF) with a scheduled C-section to preserve pouch continence. Smooth sailing before, during and after.

Besides all the things I said above my colon doctor said he would be there for my c-section to check my pouch and connections and such before they close me up or if there was any problems he would be there. And I like that he offered that and gave me a piece of mind.

Yes, FWIW I talked it over with my OB and we both agreed that having a colo-rectal surgeon consult/sit in on the C-section was a good idea. I actually set it up with a doctor I had not even met before; went to his office for a consultation, explained the situation and he agreed. I never saw him again until the date of the surgery, and it was great piece of mind knowing there was someone along for the ride with intimate knowledge of the pouch situation in case anything went awry.

I had my pouch done was I 28 and had a vaginal birth when I just turned 30. That was about 20 months ago. I only had a first degree tear (no biggie). No issues with incontinence at all (unless a bad bout of pouchitis, but that's pretty rare for me). As Jan said about experience with prior deliveries, I went into labor knowing that I had an amazing experience with my daughter (which was pre-pouch). We monitored by son's head size and weight near the end to make sure he wouldn't be bigger than my daughter was (otherwise we may have gone the c-section route). Based on history for me and favorable conditions at the time of delivery, I chose the vaginal route which was the right choice for me. I really don't know what decision I would have made if this was my first child.

ICC - Congratulations! I remember your potty Cake and am happy for your upcoming baby! It's nice to hear you've been doing so well. Please post and let us all know how everything goes.

I had a baby when i was 16, easy vaginal delivery. I had my pouch surgery when i was 22. My next baby came along when i was 27. I decided to try for a natural birth , with no epidural so i could truly feel the pushing part. We did the rocking method , where they rocked me on my side to move the baby deeper into the birth canal to limit my pushing time. It was painfull, but he was out with one push and no complications other then some discomfort using the washroom for a couple weeks after. My 3rd baby came when i was 29 and we did the same thing, she was out in one push and no complications.
My doctors decided that the risk of dealing with scar tissue was greater then the chance of somthing going wrong with my pouch. Im happy i decided to try it out , but did do alot of research prior to making the decision. Good Luck!