I have one child.

My J pouch was constructed in 1991. Kiddo was born via C-section with my surgeon's approval in 2002.

All was well after. In fact, I do believe if you google Cleveland Clinic and vaginal vs C section after pouch creation, C section is preferred.

I'm not sure why they're scaring you with risk of an ostomy after C section? My gyne folks were not high risk or anything, though I think CRS was on call if needed. All was fine for me. Your uterus sort of is in front of everything, with your pouch behind it, so I'm not sure there's *too* much risk to the pouch during surgery, honestly, though of course all surgeries carry risks, AND our anatomies are different of course. Vaginal delivery was scarier with risk of sphincter tearing and issues. I don't know. Guess you gotta pick your poison.

I am also surprised he was so negative about a c-section with a j-pouch. I brought up my desire for a c-section at my last prenatal appointment. The OB I saw (an older very experienced guy) told me that it would be no bigger deal than a normal c-section and that he agreed with my rational for it. He told me that he shouldn't need to go anywhere near my pouch (he does c-sections in j-pouchers every few years) because the incision is done just above the pubic bone horizontally. He told me he would be far more concerned if I had a history of bladder surgeries but he did want my surgical notes so he could plan ahead. His only warning was, that in his experience, we tend to have a harder time getting our intestines up and running. His suggestion was that even if I was feeling good a day or so after, that I stay the maximum time allowed by insurance and to be prepared for a longer than typical stay. I sort of expected this because I was famous at my previous hospitals for being unable to keep anything down after abdominal surgeries.

I have a j-pouch and my colorectal surgeon, who is Cleveland Clinic trained, always told me that I must have a c-section if I have a baby and never a vaginal delivery. He also advised me that when I have a c-section, he must be present at birth so he can look at my insides and put me back together. I got my j-pouch in 2002 and had a baby in 2011. My incision was vertical because I had been cut open 3 previous times. I did have complications after my delivery because I got an ilius. I was in the hospital for 7 days. My baby was released before me. My OB/GYN is a high risk OB/GYN and she never had a j-pouch patient until me. She was on the phone with my colorectal surgeon from the day she found out I was pregnant. They had my c-section delivery all planned out.

You should probably go talk to your colorectal surgeon.

thanks for all your responses ladies. I'm waiting to get a plan put together before I continue to try and have another baby.

I have a perm ileo and my high risk OB said that a c-section would allow him to plan to protect my gi system, whereas if i tried a vaginal delivery and needed an emergency c-section he would not be able to take that extra care.

2 very quick, uncomplicated c-sections.

i was told by my GI doctor that I had to had a c-section due to risks of rectal damage with a vaginal birth. This was confirmed by the maternity doctor during my first pregnancy. I had two successful c-sections. It was recommended to my not to have a third pregnancy due to my high risk pregnancies. My babies are now 11 and 7!