I don't know who this all applies to but I just (literally 6 hours ago) found out I am pregnant and I have a perm. ostomy. Other than the ostomy I have no other medical issues...no pain, meds, or any IBD symptoms...

What can I expect to change in regards to my ostomy as my pregnancy advances?

as a side note, I have a fertility consult set up for next week that I will not be needing! Yah!

I think the only thing you need to watch out for that is sort of unique is that you are at a higher risk for obstruction of your ostomy during the advanced stages of pregnancy. Other than that, you should be good to go. Oh, and you may have troubles with a retracted stoma and ill-fitting appliance, but it seems most women figure out the work-arounds.

Congratulations, by the way! You must be stoked!

Jan

That's wonderful, Marcene! Congrats to you and your family!

PM JillM - she's the ostomy queen and she's had two babies with her ileostomy. She'll give you lots of great info.

kathy

Yea! Congrats!

Jan is right, obstruction is a concern, but not much you can do to prevent it so don't worry until/if it happens. I had a near total obstruction in my first pregnancy around 17 weeks that lasted until 23 weeks and it was hit or miss if I would need surgery. But, my surgeon catheterized the stoma and the obstruction cleared. No ill effects to me or the baby (Alex who is now 4). No issues in my second pregnancy which brought us Meghan who is now 19 months.

The biggest daily change is that you may need to adjust your appliance. I wear a convex appliance, but by the 4th month or so had to switch to a regular one because of the curve of my belly. Other than that, everything should be pretty much the same.

Let me know if you have questions and congrats again!

thanks everyone! This does put my mind at ease. I have had obstructions in the past from adhesions so I feel confident I can recognize the symptoms and get help.
I don't think I use a convex wafer...I use the new image cut to fit with a floating flange and tape...it would say if it had convexity right?

I know it is super early still so I'm trying to be cautiously optimistic about even getting pregnant without intervention. I'm sure I will have many more questions and maybe some freak out moments where I will need all your expertise.

I had a friend tell me that during her sixth or seventh month, she woke up one night to find her stoma poking out an extra two or three inches! She was a little spooked but it didn't hurt and the next day it went right back to normal. I can't imagine that! But I thought I would mention it just in case anyone here sees it. Apparently it's no big deal and has everything to do with how the baby is sitting at the time.

And CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!! Hooray babies

Congrats Marcene! I just found out last Saturday that I'm pregnant too...so it looks like we'll be going through this together! Good luck, happy, healthy 9 months to you. I look forward to seeing how you're doing, and if you do have any things that need addressed due to your ostomy (definately in the same boat!)
Allyson

Congrats to you both Marcene and Allyson! Its very exciting.

Yeah Allyson! I'm so glad I will have someone to compare notes with. It looks like we have a similar history. Is this your first child? I have a 2 1/2 year old who was born while I had my j-pouch. I'm thinking that when the time comes for maternity clothes I'll make some shirts that help show off the baby bump but not the ostomy site. A happy and HEALTHY 9 months to you too....but of course I will be checking in to see how it is all going along the way.
-Marcene