Conception & Pregnancy

I wholeheartedly recommend the Glow Period and Ovulation tracker. I am currently 14 weeks pregnant against all odds probably thanks to finally timing sex perfectly and some luck. I had one of the worst case scenarios for infertility. My colon actually perforated and I had a three step J-pouch. I had/have terrible adhesions that I had to have laparoscopically removed by an OB/GYN who told me my tubes and ovaries were terribly scarred. One of my fallopian tubes had even been forgotten stapled to my abdominal wall and my current OB/GYN couldn't even find it on the ultrasound. Anyway, after 2 years of sort of trying to get pregnant and stressing out about the cost of IVF, I was like well I might as well really try. I downloaded the app during my period and religiously checked my cervix all month and BAM my period never came, then I started to feel funny and took a pregnancy test that came up positive! The app seems to really work and I didn't use the basal temperature part because I didn't get a thermometer in time and taking my temperature first thing every morning wasn't appealing. You can't be squeamish about getting your fingers messy, but I don't think most J-pouchers are squeamish anymore about such things. I would absolutely try it especially since its free!

So far I haven't had any medical issues related to my J-pouch and my OB/GYN is treating my pregnancy as a normal pregnancy. She did do an ultrasound at my first appointment (under 6 weeks) to confirm that it wasn't ectopic when I told her my medical history and that I thought I was high risk for one. All of my blood work has been fine but my pouch is really good and I've had it for 15 years. I take prenatal vitamins with DHA. If I had really been on top of things, I would have gotten blood work right before starting to use that app to make sure everything was good but I haven't had any vitamin deficiencies since getting my pouch. I am also able to eat everything. If you have pouch issues, I would recommend making sure all your blood work is normal (ask for vitamin D tests and more extensive work since we are at higher risk of deficiencies).

I am still early in pregnancy but I am hoping I don't have any issues later. I am afraid of bowel obstructions since I did have issues with them before my adhesion removal. I am working full-time and I want to stay that way! I am planning on a C-section because I am unwilling to risk ruining my almost perfectly behaved pouch and ending up with a permanent ileostomy. I had one for almost a year because my J-pouch was a three stepper and it was awful.

Good Luck!!!

It is generally recommended on this site that you wait no longer than 6 months to seek fertility consulation as you may have scar tissue issues/blocked tubes from your surgeries. Not to say you'll have any issues. I was able to conceive on the first try 6 months after my takedown. As it was my second child, I had a vaginal delivery. All worked out great. You shouldn't have any issues with nutrient absorptions. Vitamins may not agree with your stomach due to nausea, but you can usually find a chewable or something for kids if you can't handle the prenatals. Good luck to you!!

Thanks ladies for the great info. I've started a prenatal vitamin and a midwife suggested royal jelly to prep for implantation. I have a preconception appt in about a week to make sure everything is on track so my fingers are crossed. I only worry so much because we haven't used birth control for a year and I still am not pregnant but we haven't necessarily been trying either so I'm hoping it's mostly a timing issue.