5 Tips On How To Navigate Pregnancy as an Ostomate

As I sit down to write this blog post, I'm overwhelmed with a myriad of emotions. Pregnancy for all women I feel is a journey filled with excitement, anticipation, and a touch of anxiety for any expecting mother. 

However, being pregnant while also living as an ostomate adds another layer of complexity to the experience. I want to share my story of navigating pregnancy as an ostomate, shedding light on the fears, concerns, and triumphs that come with this unique journey.

My journey as an ostomate began several years ago, following a jet ski accident in my beloved Bahamas. The accident left me with a colostomy, a surgical procedure that reroutes the colon through an opening in the abdominal wall, resulting in the need for an ostomy bag to collect waste. Adjusting to life with an ostomy was challenging initially, filled with fears of the unknown and concerns about how it would impact my daily life. However, over time, I've learned to adapt and embrace my new normal. (You can read my previous blog posts on this).

One of the very first questions I asked my doctors after waking up from emergency surgery after the accident was if I could still have kids in the future. Due to the location of my injuries it was one of my very first thoughts waking up. My doctors explained that it would be a situation where we wouldn’t really know until it was time to have kids, but if and when I got pregnant, that I would definitely have to have a c-section/s. 

During my first pregnancy like any expecting mother, I was filled with joy when I discovered I was pregnant. However, mixed with that joy was a sense of apprehension as I grappled with the uncertainties of how my ostomy would affect the pregnancy and vice versa. I explored whether or not I would have to have a c section overseas, but after speaking to my doctors in Florida, they felt it was best to have my deliveries in Nassau, with the surgeon that performed my emergency surgery assisting during the delivery. And so that is what I did. 

I did not have any complications with my first pregnancy. I do suffer with frequent UTI’s because I also have to self catheterize in order to pee properly, so that was something we had to pay attention to and monitor with frequent antibiotics. 

When I got pregnant with my second child, I quickly realized that I had developed a parastomal hernia, something that most likely was a result of my first pregnancy. This type of hernia is common with ostomy patients, but I had gone 10 years without one. This type of hernia is when part of the intestines bulge through the abdominal wall near a stoma. The risk of this during pregnancy and at any time is if the hernia gets stuck, or strangulated which can cause intestinal obstruction and death of the strangulated intestine, requiring emergency surgery. I often had to wear a hernia support belt, which helped keep the hernia from bulging. 

I did have a lot more UTI issues with my second pregnancy, which (we think) resulted in early labour. My second child came 4 weeks early, but both of us were healthy and there were no other complications. 

Fast forward to the present, this being my third, I now have the reassurance and comfort in knowing that my ostomy does not prevent me from having a healthy pregnancy. My doctors and I have learned from my previous pregnancies and decided to keep my on a low dose daily antibiotic this pregnancy which has helped to prevent UTI’s. I have also had my hernia belt handy for when/if needed. So far at 23 weeks pregnant I have not had many flares of my hernia bulging. I do credit some of this for having built a stronger core with my fitness training the last 4 years. 

Here are a couple tips if you are currently pregnant as an ostomate:

1. If dealing with a parastomal hernia it's important to pay attention to it. Laying flat whenever it bulges can help. Wearing a hernia support belt is also crucial if the hernia is constantly bulging. Wearing high waisted underwear and/or high waisted compression tights can also help prevent a hernia from bulging. 
2. Having a doctor/s that you are comfortable with and one that listens to your concerns is also important. OBGYN’s are not specialists in Ostomy’s so it's important to be able to advocate for yourself and have a doctor that listens and hears your concerns. 
3. Being aware of your diet is also important. Blockages during pregnancy are common so avoiding foods that you are prone to have blockages with is vital. Staying hydrated is also important, especially for people with ileostomies.  
4. Staying active, as simple as going for a walk, can help with digestion as well as your energy levels and mood. 
5. As your pregnancy progresses, your stoma size may increase too. Going up a size in your wafer may help you feel more comfortable. 

Pregnancy as an ostomate comes with its own set of fears and concerns, but with the right support and mindset, it is possible to embrace the journey with courage and grace. To all the fellow ostomates out there embarking on this path, know that you are not alone, and your strength knows no bounds. Together, we can navigate this journey with resilience and celebrate the miracle of life every step of the way.

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