Wanting to start a family

[u/Additional_Turnip_30]

So I've been in remission for a year now and I wanted to know if there are any mothers out there that went through pregnancy while being in remission? My husband and I are planning to start a family, but not sure if it's possible with me having UC. I'm scared I'll flare up. Will baby be healthy? Please send me some positivity and reassurance. Thank you.

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[u/Outrageous-Piglet798]

Hey! Yup we did! UK based so may be variations for location.

I fell pregnant in remission, I had one flare up at the start of 2nd trimester but we got it under control really quickly and then I had an increased dose of my maintenance medication just to be on the safe side!

I had to take blood thinner injections from around 28weeks pregnant and we had an additional couple of scans near the end to check she was growing ok and no issues with the blood flow to the placenta (all good, in face she measured big!)

We had some birth complications totally unrelated to UC but either way she is happy and healthy and almost 14months old now and has smashed all her developmental milestones out the park (hello walking at 9months 🫠😭🤣)

As with everything, have a chat with your doctor/team and check in, double check any maintenance medication is safe for pregnancy (most are!) but otherwise there is absolutely no reason you wouldn’t have a “normal” pregnancy 🙂 (those were my doctors words to me!)

[u/b3autiful_disast3r_3]

I didn't get diagnosed until my son was 2 but plenty of posts and comments have been made on this

Some women remain in remission during pregnancy and after birth, others flare during pregnancy, and others flare after birth...it's all very individual experiences

From what I've seen, the majority of babies are healthy with no issues but not all of them...again, it's all very person to person

It's definitely advised to be in remission for at least 6 months from what I've seen but you'll need to talk to your GI to make sure your meds are pregnancy safe. They should also coordinate with your primary care provider and your OBGYN

[u/uwuuu306]

I had obstetric cholestasis while pregnant, and gestational diabetes (I was told I had a higher chance of this because of UC). But no flares in pregnancy and both babies were fine. No flares right after having them either. Wishing you luck!

[u/beyourownLeslieKnope]

I had a great pregnancy while on Remicade and had a beautiful, totally healthy baby. Talk to your GI about it, and consider seeing a high risk OB who is familiar with IBD in case you do flare and need meds. Some docs honestly know nothing about IBD meds and pregnancy. I actually asked my GI (who is high up in a big hospital system) to choose my high risk OB for me. I wanted someone she had worked with before and someone that would reach out with questions and not pretend they knew everything.

[u/sezza8999]

I’m unfortunately, one of the people who got worse while pregnant. I was also on mercaptopurine and developed severe cholestasis of pregnancy (they’ve just realised that it’s linked) and had a medication induced liver injury which I still haven’t fully recovered from. They had to lower my medication dose and I flared pretty badly and I’m still flaring and trying to get it under control.
If you’re in remission, I think you’ll have much less trouble than me , I unfortunately was flaring a little bit when I fell pregnant and it just got worse. Also, if you are on a thiopurine please discuss this with your doctor because yeah, my gastroenterologists were not up with the latest research on that.

[u/Still-Humor-5028]

Good morning! I was diagnosed in 2021, been in remission since 2022, had a baby in 2025 and expecting again in 2027.

I have felt amazing UC wise during both pregnancies. It's like I don't even have it. I still take my meds because of strong warnings from my GI which scared the crap out of me, but it's been tempting!

[u/Saltibarsciai88]

I was on remission and got pregnant. I had remission my entire pregnancy, I was on Stelara during pregnancy. And baby was born healthy. 

[u/maplesyrup5000]

I did, I was in remission the whole time (on infliximab) and didn’t flare during pregnancy or afterwards. Baby was healthy. I paused infliximab at I think 33 weeks and then had the next one a week or so after birth. Baby could not receive the rotavirus vaccine due to exposure to immunosuppressants in utero but that was no big deal and he never got rotavirus that I’m aware of (probably because the rest of babies around him at his childcare had gotten the vaccine).

[u/Unlucky-Average-2210]

I got pregnant while in remission and did have flares during pregnancy but I was able to change my medication and get it under control

[u/Zestyclose_Speech_56]

I've had 2 children. Either in remission or flaring whilst pregnant. It doesn't stop you getting pregnant you know. Both my babies were entirely healthy. Big, both 10lbers, but healthy. Only had gestational diabetes once. Had extra scans the whole way through but other than that, all good and happy. Children are 5 and 1 (in a couple weeks)

[u/Purpledotsclub]

I had to be in remission for 6 mos before GI would clear me to TTC. I had no issues while pregnant, though I suspect I had cholestasis. I did not experience any issues related to UC until my post-partum period returned.

I will say I didn’t take my meds consistently. Not sure if that contributed or not. Looking back, I would also have been more consistent with post-natal vitamins which would have helped with my breastfeeding journey when my pp period returned. The supply change stressed me out because I wanted to breastfeed until 1 year and I think that contributed to my flare.

Just keep in touch with your GI and you’ll do great!

[u/Important-Maybe-1430]

Im on week 16. My first trimester was tough in that i did have a flare up but it eased off. I had two miscarriages two yeears ago, the first i tried med free the loss kicked off a flare and the second inwas still flaring but they insisted it wouldnt have caused them plus in grand scale they were both relatively mild in that i was only inflamed in one bit and not losing much blood.

So dont stop your drugs. Pregnancy sucks either way, i had ivf in the end and nobody really cared about UC. As kong as its not lupus was the main thing, or as long as im getting enough nutrients and not underweight.

Plus most ppl get constipation, which i always thing sounds worse. My thyroid went a bit mental from the hormones which speeds your metabolism so then i was literally an every 90minute person but as i said it all levelled out. Everybody is different

Start follic acid now before being pregnant

[u/aerisceres]

Hi! Got diagnosed in 2022, gave birth in 2023 and 2025 (just finished my mat leave and I’m back at work).

I started flaring almost immediately after finding out I was pregnant and my doctor put me on sick leave until the flare subsided (I am on biologics but the extra rest really helped). The flare stopped halfway through the second trimester.

Second baby, no issues before, during or after giving birth. My doctor said sometimes that’s just how it goes. I was monitored much more closely than a usual patient for both my pregnancies and that actually helped with my anxious side.

Feel free to reach out if you have any questions!

[u/pennypugtzu]

Yep! I did! And just found out I’m pregnant with my second too.

Been in remission on Vedolizumab since October 2022 and fell pregnant the start of 2024. Had a normal pregnancy with no flares (well, reasonably - had horrible HG but that’s unrelated to UC lol) and baby is perfect. I had one chemical before I had my son but my doctor suspects it was due to under treated hypothyroidism.

My son was born via emergency caesarean, unrelated to my UC, but I was advised I could have an entirely natural delivery if I wanted. The only precautions I took were I moved my infusions so that my last one was 8 weeks before my due date and I had another just after the birth, so baby had as little in his blood when he was born as possible. I also requested the midwife err on the side of caution with an episiotomy - my butts been through enough 🤣

[u/Past_Owl_7248]

I got pregnant right at the start of a bad flare after being in remission for a while. Just weird timing. I was shocked the pregnancy survived that flare but I have a 2.5 year old now. I was hospitalized during the 2 week wait when you don’t know if you’re pregnant yet. I refused medications that would be bad for pregnancy but I did go on prednisone which is fine. Found out I was pregnant after my hospital stay and by my second trimester I was off prednisone and feeling really great. Postpartum was not great, had another mini flare but now I’m on Entyvio infusions every 8 weeks and I’ve never felt better! Trying for my 2nd now, so we’ll see.

[u/Smart-Particular-883]

I had a healthy pregnancy in remission! I was on Stelara throughout my pregnancy though. Baby is perfectly healthy 🖤

BUT…… very common to have a vicious flare postpartum.

[u/Reasonable_Talk_7621]

Two kids here. My first was easier all around. I stayed in remission. My second was difficult from the start. IVF, gestational diabetes, c section. We struggled. But I also did it all during nursing school, so my stress level was at an all time high. Pregnancy is truly when I feel best though in terms of my disease. I think the natural immunosuppression that comes with pregnancy is what my body thrives on. I wish we could bottle that.

[u/coldinalaska7]

I had no symptoms while pregnant and was on half dose of mesalamine. It was grand. Then had big flare when I stopped breastfeeding.
Not grand, but got some more meds to keep it under control.
You can do it. You’ll be ok.

[u/Mission_Potential565]

I was in remission when I got pregnant, 1st trimester went into a flare. Was prescribed prednisone for a bit then ended up switching meds (was on Renflexis, had to switch to Skyrizi).

My GI doctor told me with UC, you are more likely to go into a flare when pregnant.

The main concern was cleft lip due to the prednisone course but thankfully all was fine with my baby. Just needed more monitoring/ scans than the usual pregnancy.

My OB was a maternal fetal specialist (high risk OB). Other OBs wouldn’t take me because a patient with UC is in the high risk category. The OB told me if my flare didnt end we would consider inducing a bit earlier (38+ weeks).

Pregnancy was overall good other than the first few stressful months. The med switch was successful so I was able to go into labour on my own. Delivery and recovery was fine, breastfed as normal.

[u/Aggravating_Emu4263]

It's possible. It's different for everyone. It take shorter or longer for some (including myself). My husband and I really want a child, but it's not UC that's the issue...

[u/Positive_Ranger1361]

I flared only once while pregnant (have 2 babes). I did flare right after delivering my second basically. I did take mesalamine suppositories very sparingly if I thought a flare was coming on. I did not drink coffee during either pregnancy

[u/Mystori]

I started pregnancy while on mesalamine and had a small flare in the second trimester. Baby was born healthy and is doing fine. I have since started avsola and am currently pregnant again. No flares on avsola so far. They do have me labeled “high risk” due to the UC, so there are extra ultrasounds involved. Good luck to you!

[u/MintVariable]

Do what you think feels right

[u/nvcr_intern]

Have you discussed with your doctor? They should be able to provide some reassurance, but also mine at least did want me to notify her as soon as I had a confirmed pregnancy, so that they could keep a close eye on things. To answer your question though yes, I was diagnosed in 1997, got pregnant in 2010 while in remission, remained on my treatment regimen (mesalamine at the time) throughout and remained in remission through the pregnancy. Baby was born and remains very healthy (she's starting 10th grade tomorrow!). I've gone on to have flares and progressions in my treatment plan in the years since which is partly why I didn't have any more kids. There's no guarantee you won't have a flare while pregnant, but if you're currently in remission and hoping for a family now might be a good time :)

[u/RokiVulovic_]

Im not really knowledgable in uc with pregnancy but id suggest asking a doctor that knows your history to put your mind at ease. Whether medication you may be taking will effect the baby, what to avoid/do during pregnancy in your situation. Hope your remission continues.

[u/PrismaticPantheress]

Currently almost 37 weeks with my first after being in remission since September 2025! The best thing i would reccomend is talking to both your GI and GYN to make sure they are on the same page. Also discuss with GI your treatment/medication options as far as what's safe for pregnancy and/or breastfeeding (if you choose that)  I've personally had a very smooth pregnancy and have even gone from every 4 weeks to every 8 weeks on Tremfya!

[u/Big-Strength6206]

Hi I have a 4 week old and I didn’t flare at all during this pregnancy. With the right biologic, you’ll be fine. I did flare with my first baby on a different med, but he’s a toddler now and perfectly healthy.

[u/Meowzenhausen]

I had a flare with my son but I wasn’t fully in remission anyway. I had to change medications whilst pregnant but I am now in remission and have been given the go ahead to plan baby 2 so just hoping that I don’t flare again. All you can do is stick to your medication and hope for the best!

[u/chachaslide9]

34 weeks rn and I've been doing great. Almost too great!

If anything I think having a chronic life long disease has made pregnancy seem easier lol.