What are the implications for fertility and pregnancy for ostomy patients of child-bearing age?
Since an ostomy is a viable procedural solution for a variety of digestive conditions, there are plenty of younger patients, men and women, who may undergo colostomy, ileostomy, or urostomy. That also makes it something to manage alongside pregnancy and live birth. In this article, we want to examine a few important topics related to pregnancy for women who’ve had ostomy surgery.
Is Pregnancy Still Safe & Viable After an Ostomy?
Yes, the ostomy procedure itself doesn’t interfere with reproductive processes. There are ostomates who suffer illnesses and complications that impede pregnancy, but the surgery and aftermath of an ostomy do not really inhibit anything.
If you are undergoing chemotherapy or any other intrusive cancer treatment, women may have to wait until finishing in order to achieve pregnancy again. It’s also common for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) patients to have difficulty if they are taking medications that are incompatible with pregnancy.
Does an Ostomy Impact Fertility?
The ostomy itself doesn’t affect fertility, but there are corresponding procedures that do. If you’ve also had pelvic, rectum, or anus surgery, then fertility may decline because of fallopian tube scarring. Fortunately, your physician may recommend ways to improve your chances through interventions like laparoscopic surgery.
What Happens to the Stoma During Pregnancy?
You may experience a slight increase in the size of your stoma during the latter stages of pregnancy. This shouldn’t cause too much trouble, provided you select the right ostomy supplies to accommodate the changes.
We recommend planning ahead for this by getting slightly larger pouches ahead of time. This may require trial and error and some patience. It’s also wise to have all your supplies arranged and pre-assembled before you reach the final days or weeks of your pregnancy.
These are just a few of the topics you’ll want to think about if you’re an ostomy patient of child-bearing age. If you become pregnant, it’s even more vital to create a birthing plan with your OBGYN to cover all contingencies. Some conditions increase the likelihood of needing a C-section, but it’s not always the case.
Cymed MicroSkin manufactures the most reliable ostomy pouches and accessories under our outstanding MicroSkin line of products. Whether you’re a new ostomate and wondering about pregnancy stipulations, or simply want to find the best selection of pouches, we’re here to help. You’re welcome to contact us anytime for further information by calling 800-582-0707.