Question 1

is it safe to get a sigmoidoscopy while pregnant?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Yes it can be done.

Question 2

is sigmoidoscopy safe during pregnancy? im in my third trimester and my doctor wants to do a sigmoidoscopy to find out why im bleeding. can it hurt my baby?

Accepted Answer

Flexible : Flexible sigmoidoscopy and even colonoscopy appears to be safe during pregnancy if it is indicated. A study published in 1996 looked at the safety and effectiveness of 48 flexible sigmoidoscopies during pregnancy done at 10 medical centers and showed that sigmoidoscopy does not induce labor or result in congenital malformations, that sigmoidoscopy is not contraindicated during pregnancy, and that sigmoidoscopy may be beneficial in pregnant patients with significant lower gastrointestinal bleeding.
The study included thirteen patients who were in the first trimester of pregnancy, 18 who were in the second trimester, and 15 who were in the third trimester. Twenty-seven patients were found to have significant diagnoses that included colitis and bleeding internal hemorrhoids. No complications occurred in the pregnant patients. Eight colonoscopies were also performed in pregnant patients during this study with no complications to the mother or unborn baby.
You should discuss your particular situation with your doctor before deciding whether or not to have a flexible sigmoidoscopy while you are pregnant.

Reference:
cappell ms, colon vj, sidhom oa. A study at 10 medical centers of the safety and efficacy of 48 flexible sigmoidoscopies and 8 colonoscopies during pregnancy with follow-up of fetal outcome and with comparison to control groups. Dig dis sci. 1996;41(12):2353.

Question 3

if i was pregnant and had a sigmoidoscopy could i have lost the baby?

Accepted Answer

Probably not: But if the scope was necessary or you didn't know or tell the doctor you were pregnant it could have contributed but if you are still pregnant with a viable fetus, stop worrying about things after the fact. Nothing you can do about it now.

Question 4

narrow stools, 4 ct over three years,  sigmoidoscopy normal, diverticulosis seen on ct  scan. chance of colon cancer?? currently pregnant

Accepted Answer

Narrow stools: Narrow stools are not necessarily a sign of colon cancer and nay be seen with scarring of the colon from prior episodes of diverticulitis. A negative sigmoidoscopy is reassuring in making cancer unlikely but a gastroenterologist is best qualified to evaluate and advise you.

Question 5

is it okay to get an endoscopy and sigmoidoscopy?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely: Many gastroenterologists, faced with the need to evaluate the upper and lower GI tracts, may choose to perform a "double procedure" under one sedation--this minimizes sedation risk and maximizes the diagnostic yield of testing. Good luck with your results.

Question 6

i have to get a flexible sigmoidoscopy  (ill be sedated) in a couple days and i'm really scared! what is it? does it hurt ? help i'm a 16 y/o girl!

Accepted Answer

A fairly: Routine exam with low risk. Can be uncomfortable and thus sedating meds may be used.

Question 7

is sigmoidoscopy safe? is it true that it can detect the majority (70%) of colorectal cancers?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Unless you have a family history of colon cancer occurring at less than 60 years of age, in your family, you may wait till you are 50 for the first screening colonoscopy.
For good health - Have a diet rich in fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, milk and milk products, nuts, beans, legumes, lentils and small amounts of lean meats. Avoid saturated fats. Drink enough water daily, so that your urine is mostly colorless. Exercise at least 150 minutes/week and increase the intensity of exercise gradually. Do not use tobacco, alcohol, weed or street drugs in any form. 
Practice safe sex, if you have sex.

Question 8

does a sigmoidoscopy hurt? my doctor told me i wont get any sedation for my sigmoidoscopy, but my friend had sedation for his colonoscopy. does that mean a sigmoidscopy hurts less?

Accepted Answer

A : A flexible sigmoidoscopy can be painful, but is often less painful than a colonoscopy and is a much shorter exam (usually just 5 minutes or so), versus a colonoscopy, which usually lasts 20-30 minutes. Though many patients do choose to have flexible sigmoidoscopy without sedation, many other patients request sedation even for this shorter exam. The advantages to having no sedation can include eliminating the risks of sedation reactions and the ability to return to driving and work immediately after the procedure. Patients that undergo sedation for their sigmoidoscopy will have to refrain from driving, work and making important decision for about 24 hours. They will also need to arrange a ride home after receiving sedation.

Question 9

my mum has irritable bowel syndrome and a fissure.  she is going for a flexible sigmoidoscopy. is this safe?

Accepted Answer

Sigmoidoscope: Scope is done quite frequently, and under hands of good gastroenterologist, complications are minimal.

Question 10

is it safe to take milk of magnesia to prep for a sigmoidoscopy if you are already having bloody diarrhea? i am 31 weeks pregnant.

Accepted Answer

NO: I would suggest Miralax- which is a gentle osmotic laxative. Consult your gI for definitive dosing.

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Doctor answers about:

Is it safe to get a sigmoidoscopy while pregnant

A member asked:

Is it safe to get a sigmoidoscopy while pregnant?

A member asked:

Is sigmoidoscopy safe during pregnancy? im in my third trimester and my doctor wants to do a sigmoidoscopy to find out why im bleeding. can it hurt my baby?

A member asked:

If i was pregnant and had a sigmoidoscopy could i have lost the baby?

A member asked:

Narrow stools, 4 ct over three years, sigmoidoscopy normal, diverticulosis seen on ct scan. chance of colon cancer?? currently pregnant

A member asked:

Is it okay to get an endoscopy and sigmoidoscopy?

A member asked:

I have to get a flexible sigmoidoscopy (ill be sedated) in a couple days and i'm really scared! what is it? does it hurt ? help i'm a 16 y/o girl!

A member asked:

Is sigmoidoscopy safe? is it true that it can detect the majority (70%) of colorectal cancers?

A member asked:

Does a sigmoidoscopy hurt? my doctor told me i wont get any sedation for my sigmoidoscopy, but my friend had sedation for his colonoscopy. does that mean a sigmoidscopy hurts less?

A member asked:

My mum has irritable bowel syndrome and a fissure. she is going for a flexible sigmoidoscopy. is this safe?

A member asked:

Is it safe to take milk of magnesia to prep for a sigmoidoscopy if you are already having bloody diarrhea? i am 31 weeks pregnant.

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