Ok ladies, I know we are all different, but my husband and I are thinking of trying to get pregnant. It has been 20 years since my colectomy and 19 since my j-pouch was created. I am still impressed by the continued improvement in my overall health through the years. That said, I am anxious about putting my body through the stress of a pregnancy. We would have to use IVF because of my internal scarring. The doctors I have spoken with are are upbeat about it and seem to think that it could "be fine," but I want to know what the actual experience might be like from people who have lived through it.

So, here are a few questions:

I am one of those people who often has to lie down on my belly to expel gas. How did this work when you were pregnant?

How often did you really end up needing to go to the bathroom/day, especially at the end?

Did you have any leaking and if so how often?

I had the surgery long ago, along with several complications that led to extra surgeries, so I have some very big and deep (obviously) scaring. How did your scars respond both during the pregnancy and afterward? (I can imagine that they will stretch for the baby, but what happens afterward?)

I had two hernia repairs after my take down (at the site of my ostomy), the second time they put in some "fabric" to help to muscle knit together. Has anyone else had a pregnancy with this kind of fabric in them? Was it alright?

I appreciate anyone taking the time to answer any of these questions. Thanks!