🤰 Planning a Pregnancy With a Stoma, Fistula or iPouch

Pregnancy is absolutely possible for people living with a stoma, fistula or ileoanal pouch. However, your body may have unique needs during pregnancy, and specialist guidance can help you feel informed, safe and confident throughout your journey.

Our Pregnancy Clinic provides tailored advice, monitoring and reassurance for anyone planning a pregnancy or already pregnant.

We can support you from pre‑conception through pregnancy, birth planning and the postnatal period.

🤰 Pregnancy‑Related Risks & Considerations

🔴Stoma‑Related Risks

• Changes in stoma size or shape

• Erratic and unpredictable stoma function during pregnancy, with increased output or chronic constipation

• Appliance fit challenges as the abdomen grows

• Higher risk of parastomal hernia due to abdominal pressure

• Skin irritation from hormonal changes

• Difficulty seeing or reaching the stoma in late pregnancy

🔴iPouch‑Related Risks

• Erratic and unpredictable ipouch function during pregnancy, with increased output or chronic constipation

• Higher risk of pouchitis during pregnancy

• Pressure on the pouch causing urgency

• Dehydration risk due to increased output

• Possible need for medication review

🔴Fistula‑Related Risks

• Erratic and unpredictable fistula function

• Skin irritation around the fistula site

• Seton discomfort as tissues stretch

• Higher risk of infection

• Difficulty managing drainage systems as the abdomen grows

🔴General Surgical History Risks

• Adhesions causing abdominal discomfort

• Scar stretching

• Higher likelihood of planned caesarean section

• Increased need for multidisciplinary care

🤰 Why a Dedicated Pregnancy Clinic?

Pregnancy can affect stoma function, pouch behaviour, fistula output, abdominal wall strength and appliance fit. Likewise, previous surgeries or underlying conditions may influence pregnancy symptoms or delivery planning.

Our clinic focuses on:

• Safe pregnancy planning

• Monitoring stoma, pouch or fistula changes

• Managing symptoms and complications

• Supporting appliance fit during pregnancy

• Providing reassurance and practical advice

• Coordinating care with obstetric, colorectal and nutrition teams

🤰 Who We Support?

✔️ People with a Stoma

Including:

• Ileostomy, Urostomy, Jejunostomy, and Colostomy

• Loop or end stomas

• High‑output stomas

• Parastomal hernias during pregnancy

✔️ People with an Internal Pouch (iPouch)

Including:

• J‑pouch

• S‑pouch

• W‑pouch

• K-pouch

• Patients with a history of pouchitis

• Patients with previous pouch surgery complications

✔️ People with Enterocutaneous or Anal Fistulae

Including:

• Low‑output and high‑output fistulae

• Seton management during pregnancy

• Fistula pouch or drainage system support

🤰 What We Offer

1️⃣ Pre‑Pregnancy Counselling

We help you understand:

• How pregnancy may affect your stoma, ipouch or fistula

• Medication safety

• Nutrition and hydration needs

• Fertility considerations after bowel surgery

• When to involve obstetric and colorectal teams

2️⃣ Pregnancy Monitoring

Regular reviews to assess:

• Stoma function and complications prevention

• Pouch function and complications prevention

• Fistula function and complications prevention

• Hydration and nutritional status

• Skin care

3️⃣ Birth Planning

We can work with obstetric and colorectal teams to support:

• Vaginal birth planning

• Caesarean section considerations

• Perineal protection

• Postnatal stoma/pouch/fistula care

4️⃣Postnatal Support

Including:

• Appliance refitting after birth

• Managing output changes

• Supporting ipouch recovery

• Fistula care adjustments

🤰 Why Choose Our Pregnancy Clinic?

• Specialist nurses experienced in pregnancy with stomas, fistulae and pouches

• Compassionate, personalised support

• Evidence‑based guidance

• Close collaboration with obstetric, colorectal and nutrition teams

• Support throughout your entire pregnancy journey

• Clear referral pathways when medical or surgical input is required

• Enhanced comfort, confidence, and quality of life

• Compassionate, patient‑centred care