Grace had emergency surgery when she was pregnant. Over four years, 15 more followed

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Grace had emergency surgery when she was pregnant. Over four years, 15 more followed

Grace Jennings-Edquist Contributor September 21, 2025 — 5.35pm

A little over four years ago, I found myself sitting tearily on a hospital trolley, a blue gown pulled tightly across my belly. At the time, I was 16 weeks pregnant and waiting to be wheeled to the operating room.

I’ll get through this, and then it’s done, I remember thinking. I’ll be back to a normal, healthy pregnancy.

What I didn’t know then is that between that day and now, I’d end up having 16 surgeries. Or that I’d eventually be diagnosed with an aggressive form of Crohn’s Disease, which I’ll be managing forever. Or that I’d see at least 10 specialists in six hospitals, as compli