Hey stoma mamas!

I'm curious — has anyone here been pregnant with a stoma? How did it go? Was it extra challenging, or just another one of those “figure it out as you go” adventures?

My main worries are the usual suspects: keeping up the energy, the growing belly changing how the appliance fits (because my stoma already has a mind of its own!), and the whole idea of being pregnant after being sick for so long.

I'd love another baby, but I'm trying to get a reality check from those who've been there, the good, the bad, and the funny in-between moments.

Thanks in advance, ladies — your honesty and humor always make this whole stoma life feel a lot more doable!

No experience myself, but there have been posts on here about pregnancy with an ostomy. I found one below from years ago that had heaps of positive replies.

https://www.meetanostomate.org/discussion-forum/viewtopic.php?t=333

P.S. Krystal - bag lady mama on Instagram/FB is an Australian mum of three with a stoma. It also might be worth a look.

https://www.instagram.com/bagladymama/

My 2 pregnancies went really well. My disease (Crohn's) went into remission.

The doctor delivered both babies 2 weeks early so I would not have to have a cesarean. We tried for almost 5 years to have children, so they were a total blessing. My issue was that after I had my second child, I developed a large hernia with my stoma and had to have it repaired. And during both pregnancies, I had really loud explosive gas.

Even with a large tummy, my bags stayed on while I was pregnant.

Three pregnancies later in life, the last one at 43! Loved being pregnant, no issues with the stoma, per se. It was a little challenging hiding it under clothes with a big belly, and my stoma did get larger. It was a little more difficult getting the placement after a change, but mirrors helped with that.

Had a very difficult first delivery, and I was lucky to have a doctor (same one for all 3 😄) that did everything to avoid a C-section because of the ostomy. The ostomy/stoma was not the cause of the difficult delivery.

I preferred to warn all the sonographers, nurses, and techs ahead of time so as to not catch them off guard, and everyone was respectful, caring, and compassionate.

I still have a rectal stump and anus, so there were plenty of times where I was passing a lot of mucus, sometimes blood, but nothing alarming.

One does kind of have to figure it out as you go since everyone and every pregnancy is different. You will do fine; trust your gut and your own body to do what it needs to. Make your plan, but be open to changes as the need arises! You got this, mama!!

Hi

I've had two pregnancies since having my ileostomy. Both babies are now in their 40s! No problems with being pregnant or the births. Now I'm a grandma.

I've never let my ileostomy stop me from doing anything.

Hope you make the right decision for you.

Words of Encouragement from Ostomy Advocates I Hollister

I have had my ileostomy for 55 years, and 50 years ago, I gave birth to my second child, my son. My pregnancy was uneventful. Delivery was normal, and recovery was fine. I was worried and concerned just as you are, but all went well.

YouTube Maggie Tretton. I highly recommend her. Her website is very informative. I have learned a lot from her. In her videos, she talks about living with an ostomy and being pregnant. She had her baby 5 or 6 months ago.

I have had an ostomy for 60 years. I had two successful births with my ileostomy. I loved being pregnant. In my day, one wore blousy tops, nothing fitted, and they even had blousy bathing suits.

Stoma mama. I can tell you. I got pregnant six months after my ileostomy. No major problems. I was twenty years old during my pregnancy. The only thing is to bring your ostomy supplies with you. Happy baby!

Check out Let's Talk IBD on YouTube with Maggie Tretton. She has had a stoma since her teens and had a baby this year! Enjoy!

I would watch the YouTube video "Let's Talk IBD." She just recently went through a pregnancy and talks about her experience. I believe she is also a nurse. I watched many of her videos when I first got my ostomy, and they helped me a lot.

Yes, I first got sick when my daughter was 3. Crohn's disease, and I ended up in the hospital. While there, my colon burst, and hello ileostomy. I got pregnant 5 years later. I really had no trouble as far as the pregnancy was concerned. The stoma would change as my stomach grew, but it was all very doable. That was 45 years ago, and I'm still here, teaching yoga and living the good life. I really have to thank my stoma for my beautiful long life watching my kids, grandkids, and great-grandchildren grow. When my colon burst, the doctor had told my parents and husband there was 100% mortality, but here I still am. Don't let your ileo stop you from your dreams!

Wow! That (being pregnant with a stoma) is something I never thought about. It must be interesting, challenging, and hilarious at times, being a woman and all those changes that can take place. For men, it's just the same old, same old, until bits start falling off.

2 kids and no issues