Sigmoidoscopy while pregnant?

[Jazzy1990]

I have been searching the internet like a crazy women, can’t seem to find many to any people who have had a sigmoidoscopy while pregnant. I need to have this sigmoidoscopy so desperately as I am bleeding everyday now and really worried but I will never forgive myself of anything was to happen to the baby. :(

[Blankblankblank]

I found this, do you have a date? Could you discuss your concerns with the consultant -or even your GP-prior to attending so they can reassure you? I hope all goes well & the bleeding is found to be nothing sinister.

“ safe in pregnancy.
Flexible sigmoidoscopy (which simply requires an enema and look at the rectum and lower part of the colon) is considered safe, with or without sedation, and does not increase the risk of miscarriage”

[Jazzy1990]

@Blankblankblank Thank you for getting back to me. I don’t have a date and they want me to wait till the baby’s born but I don’t think I can. This bleeding has become like and everyday thing and is giving me so much anxiety.

[mrsed1987]

I asked for a colonoscopy while pregnant, the waiting list was so long to see the consultant I actually had my baby by the time I saw him.

Unless they are really concerned about your symptoms they won't do one until after you have had a baby.

Have you got any other concerning symptoms? I really sympathise with you I drove myself mad during pregnancy and for the first 4 months of my sons life thinking unthinkable things (health anxiety)

[Jazzy1990]

@mrsed1987 it’s such a horrible time to be going through this, I can’t even enjoy being pregnant because of this :( I don’t have any other symptoms but this one symptom is bad enough it’s like a dark blood mixed with parts of my stool everyday and we all know dark blood is bad. I just can’t take this anxiety anymore and I know they want me to wait till baby is born but I don’t think I can wait. What were your symptoms @mrsed1987 and when did they start? Why did it take so long to see a consultant? Crazy!

[mrsed1987]

@Jazzy1990 my symptoms started in Feb 2017 they were a change in bowel habits, burping all the time, then blood, it wasn't dark but it was most of the time. I went to the gp lots of times, was treated for ibs with different medications, none worked. I asked and was refused a colonoscopy. Then in Sept 2018 I had a huge bleed with clots, he again wouldn't agree to a referral, I went back after a week as I was still bleeding and I think I was in such a state that's why he agreed to the referral.

So it was Sept 2018 I was referred and my appointment was December 2018, I had to change it as had no transport then rearranged it for Feb 2019 as I was due in Jan 2019.

When I went the consultant agreed to the colonoscopy but said clearly it was to put my mind at rest rather than because he was overly concerned.

I didn't have my colonoscopy until July 2019 because I wasn't considered urgent and obviously others took priority. So I actually spent 7 months of my sons life worried about having bowel cancer.

Wow sorry for the essay lol x

[pinkbalconyrailing]

op are you taking iron? or an iron containing pregnancy supplement?
that can make your stool look black and cause changes to bowel habits.

I assume you have already spoken to the gp and given a sample for testing?

[Jazzy1990]

@mrsed1987 oh my that’s a long weight for a colonoscopy, specially with being pregnant and having anxiety. I want them to atleast do a sigmoidoscopy and if they think it’s serious then I know they’ll request a colonoscopy so hoping sigmoidoscopy isn’t too bad. @mrsed1987 what did the diagnose you with? The thing is I don’t have ibs I never had poo related conditions which worries me even more.

@pinkbalconyrailing the blood is not as dark as how iron consumed poop looks like it’s a more dark red mucas blood which very visible on the stool. Did two stop test one positive one negative cause the positive one i dipped into the blood and negative I dipped into the normal looking part. Just worried sick and more worried that my stressing out is affecting my LO inside. :(

[mrsed1987]

@jazzy1990

I haven't been diagnosed with anything, the colonoscopy was completely clear. They said when I had the big bleed in Sept 2018 that it was likely to be a internal haemorrhoid that had burst.

So I have come to the conclusion it's stress related ibs (it came on after my mum was diagnosed with cancer). Things are worse when I'm stressed deffo

[Jazzy1990]

@mrsed1987 so glad they didn’t find anything and it was all clear for you. I definitely know I don’t have ibs I don’t have constipation or diarrhea and I know ibs is not something you just develop when you’re 30 years old.

It’s a scary time having to wait for a camera test not knowing if it’s serious or not.

[mrsed1987]

It can happen I was only 30 when it happened to me, but your right there is usually change in bowel habits as the main symptom x

[Jazzy1990]

@mrsed1987 oh so you got diagnosed with ibs at 30. I thought it was something that you develop when you’re much younger. But yep I haven’t had ibs kind of symptoms which is why I’m ruling out ibs:

[HelloRose]

Hi OP, sorry to hear about your symptoms. I find myself in a similar-ish situation to you. Bleeding and mucus in my stools with abdominal pain. I was referred for a colonoscopy 8 weeks ago. Since the referral I discovered I am pregnant. The consultant wants to wait until I'm in my 2nd trimester and will now do a flexible sigmoidoscopy instead. He said it would ideally be better to have full colonoscopy after the baby is born but I can't wait 7months. My anxiety levels are through the roof and I'm struggling to enjoy my pregnancy.

[Jazzy1990]

@HelloRose Hey, feels so good to come across someone else that’s pregnant and in my situation, even though I wish you weren’t but I just needed someone to relate to. When is your sigmoidoscopy arranged for ? I am still waiting for the consultant to call and refer me for that. How old are you ? If you’re in your 20’s it could very well be UC, IBS or even colitis. Try not to worry, I know easier said then done cause I’m here worrying constantly unable to enjoy my pregnancy.

[HelloRose]

So it will be next month when I am over 12weeks. He said the sigmoidoscopy is less invasive than a colonoscopy and so decreases risk to pregnancy etc. After describing my symptoms to him he said "unlikely" to be cancer and sounds like I have Colitis. I'm 36. I have a family history of cancer and unfortunately have lost both my mum and aunt (albeit not to bowel cancer though) so this does add to my anxiety which is why I want to have some form of procedure next month and not after my pregnancy. It's horrible having this hanging over you though isn't. Literally last thing you need when you're dealing with morning sickness is added anxiety too!

[Jazzy1990]

@HelloRose I’m glad that your appointment will be scheduled for after your 12 weeks. Do let me know how it goes. I really want one done and will call the consultant again cause I don’t think I can wait till after baby’s born I’m just too stressed out about this. As for you even if it’s not colitis hope it’s just hemorrhoids or something. I’ve had symptoms before pregnancy, wondering why I didn’t hurry it up and get something done before.

[flic88]

@HelloRose Hi there, I have a sigmoidoscopy booked for when I am 13 weeks. Did you get yours done? How was it?

[HelloRose]

Hi, no I didn't in the end as bleeding stopped and other symptoms eased so the consultant said best to wait until after I've had the baby. I'm now looking at next May to have anything done. If I start to get bleeding etc again then they'll do it but would rather not take any risk if all seems well. I hope it goes ok for you.
@Jazzy1990 how are you doing?

[Jazzy1990]

@HelloRose I have not managed to get a sigmoidoscopy, they won’t do it as it’s more risky in the 3rd trimester so I will have to wait. Still getting blood in the stool though.