As far as the diverticulitis, this is an extremely common issue. Almost everyone who lives beyond age 60 will end up with diverticulosis. Diverticulitis is what diverticulosis is called when you are having a flare up or inflammation/infection.
Only about 10 percent of people who have diverticulosis end up with complications. It is possible that you could have a problem during pregnancy, but if you watch your diet and work carefully with your obstetrician and GI doc, there is no reason you cannot have a vaginal delivery unless you have a complication you didn't indicate in your question.
The most important way to regulate and control diverticula is with diet. High fiber is important when you are not inflamed or infected, because that keeps things moving through your digestive tract so they don't hang up in the pockets. When you are inflamed or infected, often you switch to low fiber temporarily so you don't make the inflammation worse. It is important to avoid things that bother you. That often includes foods with seeds like strawberries, popcorn, etc. These little seeds that aren't digestible can get stuck in the diverticular pockets and cause irritation.
Talk to your Ob/gyne about your situation, but unless you have a very severe case, there is no reason you cannot have a normal pregnancy. We have a recent article on diverticulosis: https://www.empowher.com/news/herarticle/2010/04/19/diverticulosis-causes-symptoms-and-treatments
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Hi Aceiatx-
I'm sorry to hear about your miscarriage.
As far as the diverticulitis, this is an extremely common issue. Almost everyone who lives beyond age 60 will end up with diverticulosis. Diverticulitis is what diverticulosis is called when you are having a flare up or inflammation/infection.
Only about 10 percent of people who have diverticulosis end up with complications. It is possible that you could have a problem during pregnancy, but if you watch your diet and work carefully with your obstetrician and GI doc, there is no reason you cannot have a vaginal delivery unless you have a complication you didn't indicate in your question.
The most important way to regulate and control diverticula is with diet. High fiber is important when you are not inflamed or infected, because that keeps things moving through your digestive tract so they don't hang up in the pockets. When you are inflamed or infected, often you switch to low fiber temporarily so you don't make the inflammation worse. It is important to avoid things that bother you. That often includes foods with seeds like strawberries, popcorn, etc. These little seeds that aren't digestible can get stuck in the diverticular pockets and cause irritation.
Talk to your Ob/gyne about your situation, but unless you have a very severe case, there is no reason you cannot have a normal pregnancy. We have a recent article on diverticulosis: https://www.empowher.com/news/herarticle/2010/04/19/diverticulosis-causes-symptoms-and-treatments
Good luck!
April 21, 2010 - 7:36amThis Comment
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