First of all, congratulations on the good news!

I have not been pregnant with my j-pouch, but I did have mild/moderate UC flares with both of my pregnancies. 

Codeine should be fine, as her doc suggested. You need to keep in mind the potential impact that serious dehydration, malnutrition, and lack of rest might have on the pregnancy or fetus. Try to keep the drug issue in perspective of risk vs. benefit.

Jan

Thanks for the quick reply. Yes we fully understand band have been weighing it up. Its just that there is so much conflicting information. Some people have taken loperimide as per GP and others told not too. My wife is eating well but not taking on weight, in fact she's lost 2kg and is down to 41kg (she's Japanese and naturally very small). We're praying baby is OK! Its all very stressful. ��

It is not uncommon to lose some weight in the first trimester. If it is any consolation, it is also typical to obsess and worry during the early months, especially if this is a first pregnancy. Since you have no control, worry is all that is left. Once she gets her diarrhea back in control, she'll be gaining weight. Has she not been examined by her OB/GYN? That is who should be advising her.

The conflicting information is really the lack of information. Since no drug manufacturer is willing to experiment on pregnant humans, the data is limited to those who took a drug during pregnancy. Loperamide and codeine did not show evidence of birth defects, but rigorous studies have not been done, so the vague "probably safe, but don't take it if you don't have to" warning is there. 

Jan

Cheers...everything you say makes complete sense. Its the NHS we're talking about so still waiting for an appointment. Appreciate your help greatly...helped give some perspective.

Thank you