Hi All -  I am 12 weeks pregnant and on Remicade. After my J-Pouch surgery, I ended up with a few complications including two rectal- vaginal fistulas and cuffitis. Even after 2 surgeries, I am still on medication to help with the inflammation from the cuffitis, which is pretty much like a UC/Crohns flare. Who knew a 1 cm of diseased tissue could cause so much havoc.

I have a few questions for those who went through or are currently taking Remicade and pregnant.

1) Did you stop the infusions at a specific gestational period or did you go straight through your entire pregnancy? My GI recommended that I stop at 30 weeks as it supposed to cross the placenta at the point. Does anyone know when it actually passes through the placenta - is it much earlier than 3rd trimester?

2) If you stopped mid-way through your pregnancy, how long afterwards did your symptoms start back up again? Or did they subside due to your overactive immune system preparing for baby? I've always heard that pregnancy causes natural remission of UC/Crohns.

3) Did you breastfeed while on Remicade? This is important to me. I'd really like to breastfeed but have heard that it passes through the breast milk?

4) If you did any of the above with Remicade, was the baby at higher risk for infection? I read that you can't vaccinate until at least 6 months because baby's immune system is compromised.

Ultimately, I just want to make the right decision for me and the baby, I  want him to be the healthiest, happiest baby possible. I feel like my OB and GI don't always have enough knowledge to provide all the answers and best people to ask are patients themselves. 

Any help would be greatly appreciated. 

Thanks!
Betty