I’m so happy for you Hannah. I’ve had my ileostomy since the age of 18 in 2019. I lost my son at 23 weeks due to my UC. I didn’t have my bag at the time, I actually lost him due to toxic mega colon, after his birth I gained my stoma within two days. It was A LOT to process. I miss him so much, and I’m so upset my disease took him. I wish you the best of luck and I cannot wait til I get my rainbow baby! Having your videos helps me mentally so much. I don’t feel so alone. Thank you. I’ve watched your videos since day one. You have always been by my side. So to know your pregnant gives me so much joy . I can’t wait to become pregnant again, im a little nervous due to my ileostomy.
omg that is a lot to process, I'm so sorry you had to go through that 💛 I wish you all the best for future pregnancies! And whilst as you can see from this video it's been quite frustrating with the stoma, at no point (for me) has having an ileostomy actually impacted the pregnancy/foetus!
I am sorry for your loss. I hope you will get the chance to Raise your next child while seeing them grow up happy and healthy and get to their older brother who never got the chance to grow up.
As a nurse who looks after patients with stomas all the time (I work with intestinal failure patients) this was such a good video to watch! Ive already shared it with my nursing colleagues so we can recommend it to our patients who are thinking of getting pregnant and worried about this aspect of it. I gotta say, it was really frustrating when I could see you struggling and I was thinking about the different tricks we would try on the ward to help with the peristomal skin being excoriated. I know there's a lot of anxiety around changing the kind of bag you have/how big you cut it as it's scary to change things which have worked for so long. The fold-up bags are a pain to empty, I agree. Like someone else mentioned, it helps to use a tissue to wipe inside the bag after you empty it. As I'm sure you're aware it won't be a permanent change though! All the best for the rest of your pregnancy, and I'm looking forward to seeing how your stoma situation changes in the postpartum period. xxx
I just want to say thank you, i got kinda emotional watching the video, with how helpful and 'there every step of the way' her nurses were and then to see you in the comments wanting so badly to help is the best. So even though i don't personally have a stoma, thank you❤️ (Context; i am bedridden, my diagnosis are on a brink of a new discovery and they are working on the research papers, but it's looking promising so far, though I'm being put in the middle of doctor politics right now.. and I'm just hurt that my doctor's would not be hopeful with me. As the surgeries so far is giving people as bad as me, their life back, so even if it would be shown to not be permanent, how much would not almost a year of life- actual life- mean. To say it's not worth it 'because it might come back' is not something you would say to cancer patients, now is it, but it's the argument they tried on me. And it's just good to see the empathy flourishing in this field, after I've had an emotional week.)
I’m showing this to my little girl. She’s ten and had her stoma for three years now. Hers can’t be reversed and she will be very interested to watch this. Thank you, for making this video. ❤️
It’s very normal for older siblings to have a hard time adjusting when they’re not used to sharing mum’s attention. As Mona spends more time with the baby hopefully she’ll learn it’s okay that she can’t have your belly all to herself anymore.
I'm a pharmacy student so I often see stoma patients from that perspective but it's really interesting to see how exactly you manage your stoma and how bag changes work etc. Thank you!
I found you when my mom had her stoma for positive research years ago. She sadly lost her cancer battle and I unsubbed. You popped back up for me with your pregnancy announcement and we’re a couple of weeks apart in our pregnancy. Thanks for sharing your journey with the stoma. It’s been really interesting to watch. I don’t know you, but I feel very proud of you for how your handling it ❤️
as a young person with IBD i cannot tell you how much these videos help me feel better about the possibility that i’ll have a stoma one day. Seeing you live your life takes all the medicalised-mystery out of it and you make such a valuable impact by making these videos, so thank you. sending lots of good vibes for the rest of your pregnancy!
hi Hannah! my grandma was fitted with a stoma around 8 months ago. I have used your videos to educate myself and we have watched them together, you helped us feel much less afraid of the process! Now that she can't change her bag herself, I am able to have the confidence to help her :) so thanks! you really helped us on the journey
I'm sure you've heard it before - but I'll repeat it anyway. I am a nurse (ICU) and so thankful for your videos on your Stoma. It really helps to see your perspective over the medical heavy viewpoint we are taught. Also the tips that you share from your Stoma nurses are so beneficial.
i hope you can recommend Hannahs/other peoples videos to your patients...it would have made a world of difference for me regarding shame surrounding medical issues like this one.
please try do the same in regards to mental health. ive only met a hand full of nurses who actually understand why im even presenting at the emergency room.
Good to hear. Here in Australia my dad has presented many times to icu with infections and stoma troubles. The majority of nurses have no clue where the bags are kept let alone how to change a bag or care for someone with a stoma. This is so beneficial.
As someone who doesn't have a stoma, I really feel like I've learnt so much from this video. Thank you for documenting your journey and allowing us to understand xx
Love the video! As someone who without this channel would have remained ignorant to the subject of disabilities, I really appreciate and value the education your work provides me with. ☀️🌻
Dear Hannah, I respect you so much for this video and how open you are about a rather intimate theme. I am currently in my second trimester and I was ashamed about telling my partner, that I am bloated all the time. How silly of me, I know haha. You are a few months ahead of me and your trimester videos gave me so much comfort knowing, that I am not the only one going through these changes! Can’t wait for third trimester video! All the love and health to you and your baby from Prague
Thank you so much Hannah for showing this information to the world!! Im a medical student and I’ve seen tons of people with stomas in the hospital but pregnancy is never brought up or taught in our lectures. This is great work!!💛💛
Hannah!! THANK YOU for this video!! I’m 30 and I’ve had my ileostomy for 8 years and am now pregnant so this was super helpful/relatable!!! You are amazing!
I was diagnosed with UC 2 months after I started trying to get pregnant and it was...devastating, to say the least. I don't have a stoma, yet at least, but watching your pregnancy journey continues to give me hope as over a year later I've still yet to reach remission. Thank you for your willingness to be so vulnerable online.
I'm a relatively new CNA and so grateful for all the practical and personal information you've shared in this video. It will help me so much in understanding and providing stoma care for my patients. Thank you!
"Structurally insecure, not emotionally" (Hannah takes a deep breath in) ha ha. This is so wonderful to share with people who are experiencing this and may feel like its not possible. Thanks for being so honest about the good and bad of it.
I only had a stoma for six months before I was 'replumbed', but that was enough so that I could appreciate your discussion of this topic. Thanks and good luck!
I had a temporary colostomy due to car accident injuries. I was able to have it reversed after 10 months. Seeing your stoma instantly reminded me of that pain around the skin and it brought me back to that time. I hope you are doing okay and finally have a bag that fits comfortably.
Loved this video!! I’ve had my stoma for 11 years and just gave birth to my daughter in September! I can relate to so many of your struggles. One thing that’s really helped me preserve the life of my bags has been to use tegaderm tape (clear tape that they use to keep your IV on your skin), on top of the edges of the sticky part that attaches to my tummy. You can buy a big roll. It’s been my best ostomy hack to date!
I am so grateful for seeing real pregnant bodies with scars and all. My mom has a huge scar down her back and she was so ashamed of it. I don’t think there were many images of different body types at that time. When I was younger, I viewed pregnancy as disfiguring and scary. Just seeing different bodies helps normalize variation and makes it all less scary
I've heard that pregnancy makes the bowels do all sorts of weird things. The growth of the uterus pushes all the organs around and the hormones bouncing around in the blood stream stimulate the bowels. So, I imagine having a stoma while pregnant is way harder and more challenging. I'm wishing you all the best of luck and the best outcome possible for you and your baby.
Nurse here! A tip to put on non convex stomabags when opague. Just bend them in half so you see a semi circle. Adhere the lower half easily because yiu can see what you are doing. Then flip it normal and adhere the upper half. Good luck!
This is the most enjoyable "series of unfortunate events"; you're such a ray of sunshine! 🌻 I'm so impressed by how you deal with things not going to plan. As always, a pleasure to watch. ☺️
I have Crohn's and I've had a bunch of surgeries but so far haven't had a stoma. So it's something I'm pretty scared of and seeing someone talk about it and the issues and stuff really helps!
Tip for drainable bags to stop poo from getting everywhere after closing it up; I use a folded up piece of tissue and stick it in the opening after emptying the bag and wipe it around the inside, use a good amount of tissue so you don't get poo on your fingers! I use the salts bags and love them but everyone's different and theres so many options which is great!
I loved this video! I loved that it was an hour long. And also just how informative it was. I love all stuff «anatomy», and love to learn about all of it :D Your «this is my stoma» video way back, was actually the first video I ever watched, it showed up on me feed mostly because of all my body-anatomy videos I was watching :D
Love this video! What a blessing for pregnant women who have a stoma. Such a unique perspective. Your poop explosions remind me of baby poop disasters I've dealt with, so this is probably lots of training for inevitable diaper disasters!
So glad to see a video on stomas. My mom had an illiostomy at 56 and lived another 40 years with it. Every once and a while she’d have issues with it (mostly irritated skin) but I think for the most part she did pretty well. Congratulations on your baby.
Thank you so much for sharing all of this, Hannah. I have GI issues and the idea of them getting worse to the point of needing something like a stoma has always terrified me. Then I found your videos, and over the past year or so of watching your journey with Mona has made me feel so much better about all of it, and disabilities in general. Thank you for your part in educating myself and so many others about our bodies! I hope my GI issues never worsen, but even if they do, I know I will be much more confident in dealing with them because of you.
Althea. I was diagnosed with UC the end of 2019. Year of 2020 I did not respond to any medications and progressly I got worst. 2021, I was rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery. They removed my colon. I now have a ileostomy. Getting use to it was not a problem. I now can eat pretty much anything I want and have gained 21 lbs back from the 72 lbs I lost. In a couple of months it will be a year and I will be having surgery to reverse my bag. I have to say it is not bad with a bag. I pretty much do anything I want to with my bag. I am at the gym every morning for 2 hours and a lot more active now. Hannah is good explaining all of this. Hopefully you will improve and never go through this but if you do it is not the end of the world.
As someone who’s had a stoma since I was 19, and hopes to get pregnant in the future, this video was very informative, especially as you said, there’s not many videos on ostomate’s pregnancy journeys
Videos like these are just SO helpful for people with stomas. I’m not pregnant but the bag reviews & real life funny stories are honestly just great. I’ve had my stoma nearly 3 years and I’m still learning new things about it! Xx
I've been watching you since OG days and I have to say, it was lovely to sit with you for an hour. I wish I'd have made a cup of tea, because it felt like I was catching up with an old friend. I'm glad you're doing well now! thank you for updating us and spreading awareness
Thank you for letting me learn about this! I don’t really have a desire to have children but I find pregnancy really fascinating and the different stories people can have during their pregnancy. A friend of mine I worked with is diabetic and I watched how the pregnancy was for her with 3-4 insulin shots per day on her belly the entire pregnancy and it is inspiring to see what Moms go through.
Oh my goodness what a saga! ❤️ I think a lot of people can underestimate just how much faff and management it can take to live with a disability so thank you so much for being so open about it. I'm also so glad you have such great people in your life and such a wonderfully supportive husband who you can have a good cry on when it all gets too much. I hope you have smooth sailing from here on xxx
Not sure why this channel was recommended as I was researching for my pet who is having major tummy trouble . I watched all in awe of your so upbeat personality . you are amazing and such a reminder to me that all my present problems are nothing . wishing you a more comfortable time ahead and looking forward to catching up again soon
Hi Hannah! My grandfather has just had a stoma, and I just wanted to say that your videos on the topic have really helped me to understand what he's going through and offer support, comfort, resources, and information for him. So I just wanted to say a quick thank you for being so candid and open with this topic
My grandma was a WOCN for 45 years before she retired and she’s always been my idol. It’s nice to know how much your nurses have helped you 💕 makes me feel more connected to my grammy in a strange way
I love how you're so open about your stoma and how it affects your pregnancy! It not only helpy other people with a stoma but it also educates people without one. I have a completely new appreciation for the all the struggles women can go through pregnancy! It just shows how amazing our bodies are to go through all these changes and still do what they're supposed to!
I can't get pregnant and I don't have a stoma, but your videos are always SO enlightening, it's a whole different world to what I live and I can't thank you enough for being so open about it and sharing your story!
Congratulations to you….hopefully your sweet baby has safely arrived! I worked as an RN one hundred years ago until my children came along. I cared for a fair number of patients with stomas in hospital, on Gen Med floor, and I was curious to see if things have changed much. I came across your utube and watched you talk/show/tell about your experiences managing stoma care while you were pregnant, as you adapted. You are so confident and positive. I applaud you so much for sharing openly and honestly, and with humor! Your medical assessments are sound and you are a very good teacher/educator. Thank you for the time and effort you put in to making your progressive videos. Doubtless there were days you were exhausted and busy, yet you continued to record. I know you inspire so many people who have a stoma and care for themselves or have assistance with care. You are a breath of fresh air! I loved your baby belly dances in the mirror! 👩🏻⚕️ On a side note, 👩🏻⚕️ I noticed you had some areas of your face that look just like my skin when I have a flare up of a skin condition called peri-oral facial dermatitis. Skin is irritated and inflamed, (dermatitis) around the mouth (peri-oral) can be around the nose, and can spread toward the chin. It kind of looks like acne at times, and it itches and hurts at the same time.. You may already know all about it, and have a dermatologist who treats you. If not, a dermatologist can help you with diagnosis and treatments. If you tried topical over the counter steroid cream, such a Cortaide, you know that that only makes it worse. Odd, but true. Topical prescription cream 2X daily to get it under control and healed is recommended first for mild to moderate cases, and some times an oral antibiotic is also added 2X daily for stubborn or moderate to severe case. It comes and goes, often no known cause. Can flair when life is especially stressful. That happens to me. I can go one to three years between flairs. Some people who get this form of skin problem ALSO have Rosacea. I do. Redness and irritation on areas of face. This is a dermatology thing too. Different from peri-oral facial dermatitis. Can flare up and cycle also. Topical cream. Face wash and moisturizer as recommend by dermatologist. Often seen in families, as is true for us. If you are nursing your baby dermatologist will discuss oral antibiotic options if you need it. BEST wishes to you as you begin parenting! The US Navy has a slogan used in campaign ads “the toughest job you will ever love.” I have long said that I think it is most apropos for parenting! Cheers!
Sounds like you have the best stoma-nurse in the stoma-verse! 🙌🙌🙌 so glad you have someone who is listening and who is being an amazing medical partner to try and get you the best fit for you!!
Thank you for once again not hiding these parts of your pregnancy and I know this will be helpful to someone in a similar situation. I don't have a stoma but these real videos about struggles that come with certain disabilities have made me a much better advocate for myself and have helped me figure out how to do this whole disabled thing in general. I did grow up with a disabled mother but her being hard of hearing isn't the same as my walking disability and my chronic pain. It never hurt her physically and while her issue made me an advocate too from a very young age now I had to learn to advocate for different things suddenly. Like I was used to telling people to please repeat themselves when I noticed my mom didn't understand them, something my mom is very thankful for and I have done ever since I was a very young child and really clued in on all of the signs that my mom didn't hear something(can't even tell you what it is really it's just second nature to me and subconscious at this point).
Okay this has been said a hundred times, but I think the algorithm just needs to know: Thank you so much for your content Hannah! I've been following you for five years now and you've always been so helpful with getting more comfortable talking about sex. And now I know a lot more about a condition I didn't know about before you got it! So much respect for handling Mona along with the baby.
If you like the pelican bags try their pelican modiVi bags ... fabric is practically identical to the coloplast ones and they fold in half . They also come in black as well as 'skin colour' if you struggle with the pelican unsticking then you can stick them on the coloplast skin patches, yes it an extra step and a bit of a faff as you have to cut a hole for the stoma . But it means that you get all the benefits of the modaVi bags without the skin issues like I did . The coloplast Brava skin patches are square so cover a lot of skin giving extra security and due to the size the hole can be massive. Good luck with being a new mother. I love your videos your openness and honesty. I have only just come across your videos and I really wish I found you earlier. I have had my ileostomy 2 years ago now and still feel unsettled frustrated and I get very upset. Thank you for making me smile and saying it as it is! Lots of love xx🥰 Oh I forgot to mention have you seen comfizz's products? You will love their waist band it is so soft and comfy and hold everything in stops your bag from flapping about and added benefit it holds your podgy wobbly bits in! Fae better than the velcro bags you have. (I have them too and never used them) the Confizz range also includes high waisted pants, boxers, even thongs. They do them in different colours and sizes and do vests as well if you feel you need level 2 (slightly firmer) support. Plus they are available on prescription! 😁
omg i haven’t seen one of your videos in agessss i was obsessed with your content during the lockdowns!! congratulations on your pregnancy, you’re an angel :)
Thank you for sharing your positive energy while also being real about the whole emotional side of things. Since my UC has been acting up a lot I've been super scared of getting a stoma at one point in my life and you and other people talking about it so openly is helping so much in combating that fear.
Incredibly grateful that we have access to super valuable info and experiences because of people like you Hannah 💛 Thank you for sharing your experience 😊I'm here for all the sex stuff all the poop stuff and all the pregnancy stuff!
Very interesting and I have all the respect for you, Hannah!! You never really complain or pitty yourself and just focus on finding solutions. But I guess thats what it takes having a cronic illness. Still very admirable. All the best for you and your baby xxx
The card the nurse used to measure your stoma looks exactly like the one student midwives use to learn how to measure dilatation of the cervix 😂 on that note, I love learning about how different health conditions impact or interact with pregnancy, and this video has made me feel much more confident in caring for any pregnant people with stomas I might encounter in my career! Pls give us an update about how it all worked intrapartum and postpartum if you’re able or willing ❤️
Thank you SO MUCH for educating me and the rest of your audience on this! I'm graduating from nursing school in a month and I've only ever seen really sick, elderly patients with stomas (acute patient stays just happen more frequently with the elderly). I've never thought about what a younger patients experience might be or these big bodily changes like pregnancy and how they impact an ileostomy. And, honestly, you gave me so much insight about body image and picking a bag that feels comfortable and makes you confident. I should've realized the importance for older patients too, but hearing it from someone younger just made it click.
I've got an ileostomy, coming up on 4 years as well! I always always wear flange extenders, they make me feel like I've got added protection and I've never had any leaks or the bag lifting. When you go swimming again I'd definitely recommend flange extenders to keep it extra water tight!
This was so so interesting. Thanks for sharing your experience. I also think it's amazing that you had a great team who helped throughout the process so far and thank goodness for the NHS because I can't imagine going through that whole long and frustrating process and then having to pay loads for it. Wishing you all the best for the rest of your pregnancy!
Hi, thank you for making this video. I'm mid-40s with a colostomy (I'm not pregnant) but just wanted to say I hear you. Watching you learn and adapt is so inspiring. I use the flat Salts bags (in black) and think they are amazing. I have a retracted stoma and my stoma nurse can't believe I'm getting away with the flat ones. The hard plates on the other designs just seem to pop off my skin (we're all different eh?) Thank you for being honest with how difficult it can be with the daily challenges/leaks/sore skin etc most people only bring the positives to TH-cam and I really need to hear someone else's story that it's not all sunshine and roses with a stoma (even if we're VERY grateful about being able to have one) xx
I'm 6 months pregnant myself, with a CNA background having done stoma care on patients and in nursing school, and this was really cool and informative! Thank you for speaking on your experience, one pregnant lady to another. :)
You are seriously changing lives with these videos Hannah, thanks for normalising something that is affecting so many people across the world but just isn't spoken about much. I don't have a stoma but have a close friend who may be getting the op soon due to her UC so I'm trying to understand how it may affect her, your vids have totally saved her mental health
Thank you for sharing this! I’m not pregnant but recently had an ileostomy surgery and getting used to everything has been so hard, and trying to get used to the whole process of having a stoma has been a massive learning curve. I cannot thank you enough for helping me (and I’m sure others) in the same situation feel normal and seen 💜
Took a whole morning but great video. I work for a place that sells continence supplies and while we do sell stoma supplies we mostly sell catheter supplies, pads, incontinence products and woundcare supplies so that is where most of our product training is focussed. I love learning about this from you and have definitely put some of the learning into practice at work. Thank you, and Mona and the baby for making such an interesting video!
Amazing video! I've had a stoma for 3 years now and your video's have helped me immensely. Being able to follow you on your pregnancy journey is really helpful (I'd like to have kids in the future). You should definitely check with your stoma nurse if you can get the opaque version of the Dansac bags. I've been using those ever since surgery.
This is one of the most educational things I have ever seen. I think you are awesome for sharing this. So much needed and I have learned so much of things I've never thought. I wish they teach things like this in school. Hope you have an amazing test of pregnancy and birth. Sending you all the love 💙💙
I am 55yr and 7 months with a stoma , I enjoyed watching your video in how you are coping with pregnant with a stomer, I feel you did an amazing job in your videos , 💞 I found it very interesting the different bags that you use. I don't have drainable bags , I also have a 2pices , so I just changed the bag , I think you are so brave sharing your story , it will be a great help to young women like your self. You are a beautiful soul 🌹❤️ many blessings to you and your family.💞
Such an insightful video, thank you for sharing. Your videos always provide such education- I shamefully knew nothing about stomas and can honestly say I have learnt so much within this video, what a women you are 💕
Hannah!! I've been loving the hormone diaries from the very beginning and this is one of my favourite videos that you've done! I'm a nurse and hearing your experience and reviews on stoma bags was both educational and humourous at times! Thank you! Couldn't help but think you should go into the business of stoma bag design and manufacturing!!!!!!! You'd get to test all the products, create colourful and sexy designs and make them medical grade to the nth degree, everyone would feel so safe and included wearing your stoma bags
Whilst I'm at no risk of pregnancy, I've found this video very informative! I've also had issues with dansac adhesive, particularly the outer edge really irritates my skin - i think it's actually the fabric that does it? If you're having trouble with peeling around the stoma itself, adhesive rings are something i find useful (instead of stretching them as you're meant to, i cut them into strips and mould them around the edge). Having said that, you've enlightened me to the fact that my peristomal skin is in fact in bad shape and i don't have to just deal with it and should really adjust the size i cut my bag to 😬
Hannah, use a 16 ounce water/Pepsi bottle to fill the Hollister bag to rinse and it's works beautifully. You can do it seated on the commode or standing over the commode. I personally stand. I've had the two piece Hollister Convex Flange & Drainable pouch for over 6 years now and not had a single leak or failure, and it's not messy! I can shower up to 4 times before changing the Flange. You can replace the drainable pouch as little or often as you want to. And when out of my home, I always have a water bottle in my purse and rinse out the bag in the stall and no one is the wiser. It sure beats having cancer! Hope this helps :)
your videos are so thoughtful and informative, but i also love how insightful the comment sections are! so often the internet is a place that encourages misunderstanding, but it seems like people find even more understanding and community here!
You’re amazing! I don’t know how you do it, you cope like a boss, honestly found your Channel by accident and I’ve subbed you’re an inspiration. Keep going! x
You can use a bottle filled with water to help you clean your bag. I was a patient care tech and on the floor I worked on we had water bottles that we could spray in the bag. I am glad you are comfortable with your bag and wish you the best.
I have so much respect for you! Not only are you going through this but your sharing the experience with us. hope the rest of the pregnancy goes well for you xx
Really enjoyed this video (and honestly your whole documentation on experiening pregnancy), very relatable as a former stoma wearer, even though I was not pregnant. Small tip on the flat bags, in case you haven't heard this already: I used to fold them in half vertically when applying (so fold the non-sticky bits to each other, then you're only applying half the circle at the time). This helps a lot to properly put them on (and is something I don't think you do for convex ones?). Best of luck in the final weeks !!
I've been following you for ages and it been wonderful to follow your progress from BC to trying and now seeing your pregnancy. I hope everything is going well for you and send you all the well wishes for an easy last few weeks of pregnancy and birth 😊
I have had a stoma for about two and a half years now and the improvement to my quality of life has been amazing. I've always appreciated your openness with your stoma and watched a lot of your content when I was preparing for my surgery- I hadn't been keeping up so congrats on the pregnancy!! Just want to add what I do for draining that type of bag- I have a little squirt bottle (meant for perianal rinsing actually, google "peri bottle") that I keep with me for emptying. I fill it with water and after I squeeze everything out of the bag, I hold the end of it upwards and spray down the inside of the bag with the bottle. I let the water go back into the bag, then swish it around a bit and dump it out. Helps a lot with things sticking in there!
Hi Hannah! Have you tried putting on the flange extenders on the ‘gooey’ salts bags. I find they prevent the edges of the flange from going gooey as the don’t come into contact with the water then? Congrats on the pregnancy and good luck with bump, baby and stoma! 😊
Watched this whole video despite not having a stoma and not being pregnant (or planning on it anytime soon), and found it super interesting. Sorry for the pain of switching up bags, but glad you seem to have figured it out!
Extremely informative video. I have a busy suggestion for you. Would be interesting to hear Dan's side about how it was for him when you were so sick in hospital, how he found it adjusting to your stoma and what kind of advise he would give to partners of someone who has a critic illness or disability.
I have been so curious about this and thinking about you often 😭 I’m sorry it’s been such a headache (and bellyache)… thank you for sharing. You’re almost there ❤️
Thank you so much for this video. I have UC and received my stoma (Myrtle) in October of last year. I’m getting married this coming September and we want to start trying to get pregnant soon after our wedding. It’s been a concern of mine about pregnancy with a stoma. I’m definitely the kind of person who researches things to death. I’ve been researching stomas, bags changes, and different products since I found out that an ileostomy was in my future 4 years ago. It’s actually how I originally came across your channel, during one of my many many searches through TH-cam. When I looked into some of your other content I just loved the videos you are making and have been a subscriber ever since. But this video. Thank you. Seeing this video has definitely eased some of my anxieties of what to expect during pregnancy with a stoma. I’m definitely going to take into consideration the change in my stoma size during pregnancy and prepare for that. In the US, we’ll at least where I live, I don’t have easy access to all different types of bags with the ability to necessarily get the bags quickly if my stoma were to be bigger than my current wafer size. So I’m definitely going to stock up on larger sizes.
Kia Ora!! Thanks so much for sharing your journey.💕I have had a stoma for 14 years now - also crohns- and currently 22 weeks pregnant with my first pregnancy (6x IVF rounds). It’s so reassuring to know that what I’m experiencing is also some of the things you are too! Like you said it’s not a common occurrence(…old people on all stoma gear?!?🧐) , and also finding advice and trouble shooting is difficult as not many health professionals have dealt with pregnant people with stomas?! My “Rosebud” hasn’t grown in size but I’ve found it can’t tolerate a normal diet and I’m experiencing some blockages and rosebud got very oedematous!!😬 So currently on a liquid diet…the worst when you have pregnancy cravings! Again, thanks so much for your work, and sharing life with a Stoma! 💜
Your way of storytelling is so engaging! I found myself nodding along as if to signal understanding and encourage you to continue. Then I realized this is a video and I am an idiot.
I use a water bottle to put warm water INTO my pouch every time I empty my bag. Cleans everything very well and empties quickly! Cool water is fine too. I’ve been doing this ever since I got my stoma… just a quick rinse and it feels clean and good to go!
I can’t get over the name Dansac. Dan’s sac is what got you into this situation in the first place! 😂
😂😂😂
I wish I could love this comment! 10/10 hahaha
I had not gotten this far in the video yet and was genuinely confused and thought somebody (you) thought this was a good baby name idea 😅
@@marieantoinettepaddelboot3149 that’s hilarious 😭
Hahaha
I’m so happy for you Hannah. I’ve had my ileostomy since the age of 18 in 2019. I lost my son at 23 weeks due to my UC. I didn’t have my bag at the time, I actually lost him due to toxic mega colon, after his birth I gained my stoma within two days. It was A LOT to process. I miss him so much, and I’m so upset my disease took him. I wish you the best of luck and I cannot wait til I get my rainbow baby! Having your videos helps me mentally so much. I don’t feel so alone. Thank you. I’ve watched your videos since day one. You have always been by my side. So to know your pregnant gives me so much joy . I can’t wait to become pregnant again, im a little nervous due to my ileostomy.
omg that is a lot to process, I'm so sorry you had to go through that 💛 I wish you all the best for future pregnancies! And whilst as you can see from this video it's been quite frustrating with the stoma, at no point (for me) has having an ileostomy actually impacted the pregnancy/foetus!
@@hannahwitton you give me hope to have my rainbow baby. Thank you so much.
@@bethany7808 you will have what you want and deserve!
❤️ ur strong will and heart are something admirable
I am so sorry for your loss
I am sorry for your loss. I hope you will get the chance to Raise your next child while seeing them grow up happy and healthy and get to their older brother who never got the chance to grow up.
Hearing personal accounts of this kind of stuff is so educational in a way that textbooks just aren't. Super informative, thanks for sharing!
Really enjoyed this - so much insight into something I didn’t know a lot about. Hoping the rest of pregnancy and post partum treats you and Mona well!
As a nurse who looks after patients with stomas all the time (I work with intestinal failure patients) this was such a good video to watch! Ive already shared it with my nursing colleagues so we can recommend it to our patients who are thinking of getting pregnant and worried about this aspect of it. I gotta say, it was really frustrating when I could see you struggling and I was thinking about the different tricks we would try on the ward to help with the peristomal skin being excoriated. I know there's a lot of anxiety around changing the kind of bag you have/how big you cut it as it's scary to change things which have worked for so long. The fold-up bags are a pain to empty, I agree. Like someone else mentioned, it helps to use a tissue to wipe inside the bag after you empty it. As I'm sure you're aware it won't be a permanent change though! All the best for the rest of your pregnancy, and I'm looking forward to seeing how your stoma situation changes in the postpartum period. xxx
I just want to say thank you, i got kinda emotional watching the video, with how helpful and 'there every step of the way' her nurses were and then to see you in the comments wanting so badly to help is the best. So even though i don't personally have a stoma, thank you❤️
(Context; i am bedridden, my diagnosis are on a brink of a new discovery and they are working on the research papers, but it's looking promising so far, though I'm being put in the middle of doctor politics right now.. and I'm just hurt that my doctor's would not be hopeful with me. As the surgeries so far is giving people as bad as me, their life back, so even if it would be shown to not be permanent, how much would not almost a year of life- actual life- mean. To say it's not worth it 'because it might come back' is not something you would say to cancer patients, now is it, but it's the argument they tried on me. And it's just good to see the empathy flourishing in this field, after I've had an emotional week.)
I’m showing this to my little girl. She’s ten and had her stoma for three years now. Hers can’t be reversed and she will be very interested to watch this. Thank you, for making this video. ❤️
It’s very normal for older siblings to have a hard time adjusting when they’re not used to sharing mum’s attention. As Mona spends more time with the baby hopefully she’ll learn it’s okay that she can’t have your belly all to herself anymore.
Omg hahaha lol best comment :D
😂😂
And you win the comments.
🤣
LOL
I'm a pharmacy student so I often see stoma patients from that perspective but it's really interesting to see how exactly you manage your stoma and how bag changes work etc. Thank you!
I found you when my mom had her stoma for positive research years ago. She sadly lost her cancer battle and I unsubbed. You popped back up for me with your pregnancy announcement and we’re a couple of weeks apart in our pregnancy. Thanks for sharing your journey with the stoma. It’s been really interesting to watch. I don’t know you, but I feel very proud of you for how your handling it ❤️
Im so sorry for your loss. I hope the rest of your pregnancy goes well!
Sorry for your loss
Glad your back ❤️
Sorry for your pregnancy, it gets better
as a young person with IBD i cannot tell you how much these videos help me feel better about the possibility that i’ll have a stoma one day. Seeing you live your life takes all the medicalised-mystery out of it and you make such a valuable impact by making these videos, so thank you. sending lots of good vibes for the rest of your pregnancy!
Hannah also takes the edge off the fear as well! I'm so grateful for the honest information she shares with us!
hi Hannah! my grandma was fitted with a stoma around 8 months ago. I have used your videos to educate myself and we have watched them together, you helped us feel much less afraid of the process! Now that she can't change her bag herself, I am able to have the confidence to help her :) so thanks! you really helped us on the journey
❤️
I'm sure you've heard it before - but I'll repeat it anyway. I am a nurse (ICU) and so thankful for your videos on your Stoma. It really helps to see your perspective over the medical heavy viewpoint we are taught. Also the tips that you share from your Stoma nurses are so beneficial.
i hope you can recommend Hannahs/other peoples videos to your patients...it would have made a world of difference for me regarding shame surrounding medical issues like this one.
please try do the same in regards to mental health. ive only met a hand full of nurses who actually understand why im even presenting at the emergency room.
Good to hear. Here in Australia my dad has presented many times to icu with infections and stoma troubles. The majority of nurses have no clue where the bags are kept let alone how to change a bag or care for someone with a stoma. This is so beneficial.
As someone who doesn't have a stoma, I really feel like I've learnt so much from this video. Thank you for documenting your journey and allowing us to understand xx
Ditt0 💗
Love the video! As someone who without this channel would have remained ignorant to the subject of disabilities, I really appreciate and value the education your work provides me with. ☀️🌻
Dear Hannah, I respect you so much for this video and how open you are about a rather intimate theme. I am currently in my second trimester and I was ashamed about telling my partner, that I am bloated all the time. How silly of me, I know haha. You are a few months ahead of me and your trimester videos gave me so much comfort knowing, that I am not the only one going through these changes! Can’t wait for third trimester video! All the love and health to you and your baby from Prague
Thank you so much Hannah for showing this information to the world!! Im a medical student and I’ve seen tons of people with stomas in the hospital but pregnancy is never brought up or taught in our lectures. This is great work!!💛💛
I am neither pregnant or have a stoma bag and this was still one of the most interesting videos I've ever watched on TH-cam! ❤️
Hannah!! THANK YOU for this video!! I’m 30 and I’ve had my ileostomy for 8 years and am now pregnant so this was super helpful/relatable!!! You are amazing!
I might be coming to you for questions throughout my pregnancy!!
Congrats!
How have you been? I have a stoma and am trying for a bbay
I was diagnosed with UC 2 months after I started trying to get pregnant and it was...devastating, to say the least. I don't have a stoma, yet at least, but watching your pregnancy journey continues to give me hope as over a year later I've still yet to reach remission. Thank you for your willingness to be so vulnerable online.
I'm a relatively new CNA and so grateful for all the practical and personal information you've shared in this video. It will help me so much in understanding and providing stoma care for my patients. Thank you!
"Structurally insecure, not emotionally" (Hannah takes a deep breath in) ha ha. This is so wonderful to share with people who are experiencing this and may feel like its not possible. Thanks for being so honest about the good and bad of it.
I only had a stoma for six months before I was 'replumbed', but that was enough so that I could appreciate your discussion of this topic. Thanks and good luck!
I had a temporary colostomy due to car accident injuries. I was able to have it reversed after 10 months. Seeing your stoma instantly reminded me of that pain around the skin and it brought me back to that time. I hope you are doing okay and finally have a bag that fits comfortably.
Loved this video!! I’ve had my stoma for 11 years and just gave birth to my daughter in September! I can relate to so many of your struggles. One thing that’s really helped me preserve the life of my bags has been to use tegaderm tape (clear tape that they use to keep your IV on your skin), on top of the edges of the sticky part that attaches to my tummy. You can buy a big roll. It’s been my best ostomy hack to date!
I am so grateful for seeing real pregnant bodies with scars and all. My mom has a huge scar down her back and she was so ashamed of it. I don’t think there were many images of different body types at that time. When I was younger, I viewed pregnancy as disfiguring and scary. Just seeing different bodies helps normalize variation and makes it all less scary
I've heard that pregnancy makes the bowels do all sorts of weird things. The growth of the uterus pushes all the organs around and the hormones bouncing around in the blood stream stimulate the bowels. So, I imagine having a stoma while pregnant is way harder and more challenging. I'm wishing you all the best of luck and the best outcome possible for you and your baby.
Nurse here! A tip to put on non convex stomabags when opague. Just bend them in half so you see a semi circle. Adhere the lower half easily because yiu can see what you are doing. Then flip it normal and adhere the upper half. Good luck!
This is the most enjoyable "series of unfortunate events"; you're such a ray of sunshine! 🌻 I'm so impressed by how you deal with things not going to plan. As always, a pleasure to watch. ☺️
I have Crohn's and I've had a bunch of surgeries but so far haven't had a stoma. So it's something I'm pretty scared of and seeing someone talk about it and the issues and stuff really helps!
Tip for drainable bags to stop poo from getting everywhere after closing it up; I use a folded up piece of tissue and stick it in the opening after emptying the bag and wipe it around the inside, use a good amount of tissue so you don't get poo on your fingers! I use the salts bags and love them but everyone's different and theres so many options which is great!
I do this too, after every empty! Keeps the spout nice and clean.
I loved this video! I loved that it was an hour long. And also just how informative it was. I love all stuff «anatomy», and love to learn about all of it :D Your «this is my stoma» video way back, was actually the first video I ever watched, it showed up on me feed mostly because of all my body-anatomy videos I was watching :D
Love this video! What a blessing for pregnant women who have a stoma. Such a unique perspective. Your poop explosions remind me of baby poop disasters I've dealt with, so this is probably lots of training for inevitable diaper disasters!
So glad to see a video on stomas. My mom had an illiostomy at 56 and lived another 40 years with it. Every once and a while she’d have issues with it (mostly irritated skin) but I think for the most part she did pretty well.
Congratulations on your baby.
Thank you so much for sharing all of this, Hannah. I have GI issues and the idea of them getting worse to the point of needing something like a stoma has always terrified me. Then I found your videos, and over the past year or so of watching your journey with Mona has made me feel so much better about all of it, and disabilities in general. Thank you for your part in educating myself and so many others about our bodies! I hope my GI issues never worsen, but even if they do, I know I will be much more confident in dealing with them because of you.
Althea. I was diagnosed with UC the end of 2019. Year of 2020 I did not respond to any medications and progressly I got worst. 2021, I was rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery. They removed my colon. I now have a ileostomy. Getting use to it was not a problem. I now can eat pretty much anything I want and have gained 21 lbs back from the 72 lbs I lost. In a couple of months it will be a year and I will be having surgery to reverse my bag. I have to say it is not bad with a bag. I pretty much do anything I want to with my bag. I am at the gym every morning for 2 hours and a lot more active now. Hannah is good explaining all of this. Hopefully you will improve and never go through this but if you do it is not the end of the world.
As someone who’s had a stoma since I was 19, and hopes to get pregnant in the future, this video was very informative, especially as you said, there’s not many videos on ostomate’s pregnancy journeys
This was really fascinating and educational! I'm glad you were finally able to find a new bag that worked for you.
Videos like these are just SO helpful for people with stomas. I’m not pregnant but the bag reviews & real life funny stories are honestly just great. I’ve had my stoma nearly 3 years and I’m still learning new things about it! Xx
You are SO ready for catastrophic dirty nappies! After all this, I seriously doubt there's anything that could phase you and Dan.
I've been watching you since OG days and I have to say, it was lovely to sit with you for an hour. I wish I'd have made a cup of tea, because it felt like I was catching up with an old friend. I'm glad you're doing well now! thank you for updating us and spreading awareness
This comment made me get up and make myself a pot of tea :)
Thank you for letting me learn about this! I don’t really have a desire to have children but I find pregnancy really fascinating and the different stories people can have during their pregnancy. A friend of mine I worked with is diabetic and I watched how the pregnancy was for her with 3-4 insulin shots per day on her belly the entire pregnancy and it is inspiring to see what Moms go through.
That was sooooo interesting!!! I was hooked for the whole hour and I learned so much
Oh my goodness what a saga! ❤️ I think a lot of people can underestimate just how much faff and management it can take to live with a disability so thank you so much for being so open about it.
I'm also so glad you have such great people in your life and such a wonderfully supportive husband who you can have a good cry on when it all gets too much.
I hope you have smooth sailing from here on xxx
Not sure why this channel was recommended as I was researching for my pet who is having major tummy trouble .
I watched all in awe of your so upbeat personality . you are amazing and such a reminder to me that all my present problems are nothing . wishing you a more comfortable time ahead and looking forward to catching up again soon
Hi Hannah! My grandfather has just had a stoma, and I just wanted to say that your videos on the topic have really helped me to understand what he's going through and offer support, comfort, resources, and information for him. So I just wanted to say a quick thank you for being so candid and open with this topic
My grandma was a WOCN for 45 years before she retired and she’s always been my idol. It’s nice to know how much your nurses have helped you 💕 makes me feel more connected to my grammy in a strange way
Hope the issues calm down for the rest of your pregnancy, poor Mona struggling to adapt 😊🍀
I love how you're so open about your stoma and how it affects your pregnancy! It not only helpy other people with a stoma but it also educates people without one. I have a completely new appreciation for the all the struggles women can go through pregnancy! It just shows how amazing our bodies are to go through all these changes and still do what they're supposed to!
I can't get pregnant and I don't have a stoma, but your videos are always SO enlightening, it's a whole different world to what I live and I can't thank you enough for being so open about it and sharing your story!
Congratulations to you….hopefully your sweet baby has safely arrived! I worked as an RN one hundred years ago until my children came along. I cared for a fair number of patients with stomas in hospital, on Gen Med floor, and I was curious to see if things have changed much. I came across your utube and watched you talk/show/tell about your experiences managing stoma care while you were pregnant, as you adapted. You are so confident and positive. I applaud you so much for sharing openly and honestly, and with humor! Your medical assessments are sound and you are a very good teacher/educator. Thank you for the time and effort you put in to making your progressive videos. Doubtless there were days you were exhausted and busy, yet you continued to record. I know you inspire so many people who have a stoma and care for themselves or have assistance with care. You are a breath of fresh air! I loved your baby belly dances in the mirror! 👩🏻⚕️ On a side note, 👩🏻⚕️ I noticed you had some areas of your face that look just like my skin when I have a flare up of a skin condition called peri-oral facial dermatitis. Skin is irritated and inflamed, (dermatitis)
around the mouth (peri-oral) can be around the nose, and can spread toward the chin. It kind of looks like acne at times, and it itches and hurts at the same time.. You may already know all about it, and have a dermatologist who treats you. If not, a dermatologist can help you with diagnosis and treatments. If you tried topical over the counter steroid cream, such a Cortaide, you know that that only makes it worse. Odd, but true. Topical prescription cream 2X daily to get it under control and healed is recommended first for mild to moderate cases, and some times an oral antibiotic is also added 2X daily for stubborn or moderate to severe case. It comes and goes, often no known cause. Can flair when life is especially stressful. That happens to me. I can go one to three years between flairs. Some people who get this form of skin problem ALSO have Rosacea. I do. Redness and irritation on areas of face. This is a dermatology thing too. Different from peri-oral facial dermatitis. Can flare up and cycle also. Topical cream. Face wash and moisturizer as recommend by dermatologist. Often seen in families, as is true for us. If you are nursing your baby dermatologist will discuss oral antibiotic options if you need it. BEST wishes to you as you begin parenting! The US Navy has a slogan used in campaign ads “the toughest job you will ever love.” I have long said that I think it is most apropos for parenting! Cheers!
Sounds like you have the best stoma-nurse in the stoma-verse! 🙌🙌🙌 so glad you have someone who is listening and who is being an amazing medical partner to try and get you the best fit for you!!
Thank you for once again not hiding these parts of your pregnancy and I know this will be helpful to someone in a similar situation.
I don't have a stoma but these real videos about struggles that come with certain disabilities have made me a much better advocate for myself and have helped me figure out how to do this whole disabled thing in general.
I did grow up with a disabled mother but her being hard of hearing isn't the same as my walking disability and my chronic pain. It never hurt her physically and while her issue made me an advocate too from a very young age now I had to learn to advocate for different things suddenly.
Like I was used to telling people to please repeat themselves when I noticed my mom didn't understand them, something my mom is very thankful for and I have done ever since I was a very young child and really clued in on all of the signs that my mom didn't hear something(can't even tell you what it is really it's just second nature to me and subconscious at this point).
Okay this has been said a hundred times, but I think the algorithm just needs to know: Thank you so much for your content Hannah! I've been following you for five years now and you've always been so helpful with getting more comfortable talking about sex. And now I know a lot more about a condition I didn't know about before you got it! So much respect for handling Mona along with the baby.
If you like the pelican bags try their pelican modiVi bags ... fabric is practically identical to the coloplast ones and they fold in half . They also come in black as well as 'skin colour' if you struggle with the pelican unsticking then you can stick them on the coloplast skin patches, yes it an extra step and a bit of a faff as you have to cut a hole for the stoma . But it means that you get all the benefits of the modaVi bags without the skin issues like I did . The coloplast Brava skin patches are square so cover a lot of skin giving extra security and due to the size the hole can be massive. Good luck with being a new mother. I love your videos your openness and honesty. I have only just come across your videos and I really wish I found you earlier. I have had my ileostomy 2 years ago now and still feel unsettled frustrated and I get very upset.
Thank you for making me smile and saying it as it is! Lots of love xx🥰
Oh I forgot to mention have you seen comfizz's products? You will love their waist band it is so soft and comfy and hold everything in stops your bag from flapping about and added benefit it holds your podgy wobbly bits in! Fae better than the velcro bags you have. (I have them too and never used them) the Confizz range also includes high waisted pants, boxers, even thongs. They do them in different colours and sizes and do vests as well if you feel you need level 2 (slightly firmer) support. Plus they are available on prescription! 😁
omg i haven’t seen one of your videos in agessss i was obsessed with your content during the lockdowns!! congratulations on your pregnancy,
you’re an angel :)
Thank you for sharing your positive energy while also being real about the whole emotional side of things. Since my UC has been acting up a lot I've been super scared of getting a stoma at one point in my life and you and other people talking about it so openly is helping so much in combating that fear.
Incredibly grateful that we have access to super valuable info and experiences because of people like you Hannah 💛 Thank you for sharing your experience 😊I'm here for all the sex stuff all the poop stuff and all the pregnancy stuff!
Very interesting and I have all the respect for you, Hannah!! You never really complain or pitty yourself and just focus on finding solutions. But I guess thats what it takes having a cronic illness. Still very admirable. All the best for you and your baby xxx
The card the nurse used to measure your stoma looks exactly like the one student midwives use to learn how to measure dilatation of the cervix 😂
on that note, I love learning about how different health conditions impact or interact with pregnancy, and this video has made me feel much more confident in caring for any pregnant people with stomas I might encounter in my career! Pls give us an update about how it all worked intrapartum and postpartum if you’re able or willing ❤️
(After maternity leave of course)
Thank you SO MUCH for educating me and the rest of your audience on this! I'm graduating from nursing school in a month and I've only ever seen really sick, elderly patients with stomas (acute patient stays just happen more frequently with the elderly). I've never thought about what a younger patients experience might be or these big bodily changes like pregnancy and how they impact an ileostomy. And, honestly, you gave me so much insight about body image and picking a bag that feels comfortable and makes you confident. I should've realized the importance for older patients too, but hearing it from someone younger just made it click.
I've got an ileostomy, coming up on 4 years as well! I always always wear flange extenders, they make me feel like I've got added protection and I've never had any leaks or the bag lifting. When you go swimming again I'd definitely recommend flange extenders to keep it extra water tight!
This was so so interesting. Thanks for sharing your experience. I also think it's amazing that you had a great team who helped throughout the process so far and thank goodness for the NHS because I can't imagine going through that whole long and frustrating process and then having to pay loads for it. Wishing you all the best for the rest of your pregnancy!
Hi, thank you for making this video. I'm mid-40s with a colostomy (I'm not pregnant) but just wanted to say I hear you. Watching you learn and adapt is so inspiring.
I use the flat Salts bags (in black) and think they are amazing. I have a retracted stoma and my stoma nurse can't believe I'm getting away with the flat ones. The hard plates on the other designs just seem to pop off my skin (we're all different eh?)
Thank you for being honest with how difficult it can be with the daily challenges/leaks/sore skin etc most people only bring the positives to TH-cam and I really need to hear someone else's story that it's not all sunshine and roses with a stoma (even if we're VERY grateful about being able to have one) xx
I'm 6 months pregnant myself, with a CNA background having done stoma care on patients and in nursing school, and this was really cool and informative! Thank you for speaking on your experience, one pregnant lady to another. :)
You are seriously changing lives with these videos Hannah, thanks for normalising something that is affecting so many people across the world but just isn't spoken about much. I don't have a stoma but have a close friend who may be getting the op soon due to her UC so I'm trying to understand how it may affect her, your vids have totally saved her mental health
Thank you for sharing this!
I’m not pregnant but recently had an ileostomy surgery and getting used to everything has been so hard, and trying to get used to the whole process of having a stoma has been a massive learning curve.
I cannot thank you enough for helping me (and I’m sure others) in the same situation feel normal and seen 💜
Took a whole morning but great video. I work for a place that sells continence supplies and while we do sell stoma supplies we mostly sell catheter supplies, pads, incontinence products and woundcare supplies so that is where most of our product training is focussed. I love learning about this from you and have definitely put some of the learning into practice at work. Thank you, and Mona and the baby for making such an interesting video!
Amazing video! I've had a stoma for 3 years now and your video's have helped me immensely. Being able to follow you on your pregnancy journey is really helpful (I'd like to have kids in the future). You should definitely check with your stoma nurse if you can get the opaque version of the Dansac bags. I've been using those ever since surgery.
This is one of the most educational things I have ever seen. I think you are awesome for sharing this. So much needed and I have learned so much of things I've never thought. I wish they teach things like this in school.
Hope you have an amazing test of pregnancy and birth. Sending you all the love 💙💙
That was a lot to go through. You work through it with such logical optimism. Thank you for sharing your process, ups, and downs with all of us.
I am 55yr and 7 months with a stoma , I enjoyed watching your video in how you are coping with pregnant with a stomer,
I feel you did an amazing job in your videos , 💞 I found it very interesting the different bags that you use.
I don't have drainable bags , I also have a 2pices , so I just changed the bag , I think you are so brave sharing your story , it will be a great help to young women like your self.
You are a beautiful soul 🌹❤️ many blessings to you and your family.💞
I’m impressed by how you deal with unexpected changes! I’m sure we don’t see the really hard moments for you but I appreciate your positivity ❤️
WOW... You are amazing....god you have bin through the mill... I do hope you just get a break. You serrtenly deserve it 💛
Such an insightful video, thank you for sharing. Your videos always provide such education- I shamefully knew nothing about stomas and can honestly say I have learnt so much within this video, what a women you are 💕
Hannah!! I've been loving the hormone diaries from the very beginning and this is one of my favourite videos that you've done! I'm a nurse and hearing your experience and reviews on stoma bags was both educational and humourous at times! Thank you! Couldn't help but think you should go into the business of stoma bag design and manufacturing!!!!!!! You'd get to test all the products, create colourful and sexy designs and make them medical grade to the nth degree, everyone would feel so safe and included wearing your stoma bags
Such a really informative and interesting video to watch! I am not pregnant or planning to be and I love to see your perspective. Thank you, Hannah!
Whilst I'm at no risk of pregnancy, I've found this video very informative! I've also had issues with dansac adhesive, particularly the outer edge really irritates my skin - i think it's actually the fabric that does it?
If you're having trouble with peeling around the stoma itself, adhesive rings are something i find useful (instead of stretching them as you're meant to, i cut them into strips and mould them around the edge).
Having said that, you've enlightened me to the fact that my peristomal skin is in fact in bad shape and i don't have to just deal with it and should really adjust the size i cut my bag to 😬
Hannah, use a 16 ounce water/Pepsi bottle to fill the Hollister bag to rinse and it's works beautifully. You can do it seated on the commode or standing over the commode. I personally stand. I've had the two piece Hollister Convex Flange & Drainable pouch for over 6 years now and not had a single leak or failure, and it's not messy! I can shower up to 4 times before changing the Flange. You can replace the drainable pouch as little or often as you want to. And when out of my home, I always have a water bottle in my purse and rinse out the bag in the stall and no one is the wiser. It sure beats having cancer! Hope this helps :)
your videos are so thoughtful and informative, but i also love how insightful the comment sections are! so often the internet is a place that encourages misunderstanding, but it seems like people find even more understanding and community here!
You’re amazing! I don’t know how you do it, you cope like a boss, honestly found your Channel by accident and I’ve subbed you’re an inspiration. Keep going! x
You can use a bottle filled with water to help you clean your bag. I was a patient care tech and on the floor I worked on we had water bottles that we could spray in the bag. I am glad you are comfortable with your bag and wish you the best.
I admire the way you are always so cheerful despite everything... Keep us updated on the birth! ☺️
I have so much respect for you! Not only are you going through this but your sharing the experience with us. hope the rest of the pregnancy goes well for you xx
Really enjoyed this video (and honestly your whole documentation on experiening pregnancy), very relatable as a former stoma wearer, even though I was not pregnant. Small tip on the flat bags, in case you haven't heard this already: I used to fold them in half vertically when applying (so fold the non-sticky bits to each other, then you're only applying half the circle at the time). This helps a lot to properly put them on (and is something I don't think you do for convex ones?). Best of luck in the final weeks !!
Thank you for being so real and honest. It is so interesting learning about your journey. You are going to be an amazing mama.
I've been following you for ages and it been wonderful to follow your progress from BC to trying and now seeing your pregnancy. I hope everything is going well for you and send you all the well wishes for an easy last few weeks of pregnancy and birth 😊
I have had a stoma for about two and a half years now and the improvement to my quality of life has been amazing. I've always appreciated your openness with your stoma and watched a lot of your content when I was preparing for my surgery- I hadn't been keeping up so congrats on the pregnancy!! Just want to add what I do for draining that type of bag- I have a little squirt bottle (meant for perianal rinsing actually, google "peri bottle") that I keep with me for emptying. I fill it with water and after I squeeze everything out of the bag, I hold the end of it upwards and spray down the inside of the bag with the bottle. I let the water go back into the bag, then swish it around a bit and dump it out. Helps a lot with things sticking in there!
Thank goodness she gets a baby at the end of all this!!
Your personality is beyond beautiful, I am nervous for another pregnancy but you rock it with all you face your attitude is so attractive.
Hi Hannah! Have you tried putting on the flange extenders on the ‘gooey’ salts bags. I find they prevent the edges of the flange from going gooey as the don’t come into contact with the water then?
Congrats on the pregnancy and good luck with bump, baby and stoma! 😊
Watched this whole video despite not having a stoma and not being pregnant (or planning on it anytime soon), and found it super interesting. Sorry for the pain of switching up bags, but glad you seem to have figured it out!
Extremely informative video. I have a busy suggestion for you. Would be interesting to hear Dan's side about how it was for him when you were so sick in hospital, how he found it adjusting to your stoma and what kind of advise he would give to partners of someone who has a critic illness or disability.
You are amazing!!! I would’ve flipped out on someone you are an angel I would’ve been out of my mind!!
I have been so curious about this and thinking about you often 😭 I’m sorry it’s been such a headache (and bellyache)… thank you for sharing. You’re almost there ❤️
Keep a short ruler with your supplies. When you put the new bag on go around with the ruler from inside to outside to pressure seal the adhesive.
Absolutely mind-opening, you are so brave! And you stay so positive through all the misshaps 💗
you are so strong! huge respect to you, brave mom
Thank you so much for this video. I have UC and received my stoma (Myrtle) in October of last year. I’m getting married this coming September and we want to start trying to get pregnant soon after our wedding. It’s been a concern of mine about pregnancy with a stoma. I’m definitely the kind of person who researches things to death. I’ve been researching stomas, bags changes, and different products since I found out that an ileostomy was in my future 4 years ago. It’s actually how I originally came across your channel, during one of my many many searches through TH-cam. When I looked into some of your other content I just loved the videos you are making and have been a subscriber ever since. But this video. Thank you. Seeing this video has definitely eased some of my anxieties of what to expect during pregnancy with a stoma. I’m definitely going to take into consideration the change in my stoma size during pregnancy and prepare for that. In the US, we’ll at least where I live, I don’t have easy access to all different types of bags with the ability to necessarily get the bags quickly if my stoma were to be bigger than my current wafer size. So I’m definitely going to stock up on larger sizes.
Kia Ora!! Thanks so much for sharing your journey.💕I have had a stoma for 14 years now - also crohns- and currently 22 weeks pregnant with my first pregnancy (6x IVF rounds). It’s so reassuring to know that what I’m experiencing is also some of the things you are too! Like you said it’s not a common occurrence(…old people on all stoma gear?!?🧐) , and also finding advice and trouble shooting is difficult as not many health professionals have dealt with pregnant people with stomas?! My “Rosebud” hasn’t grown in size but I’ve found it can’t tolerate a normal diet and I’m experiencing some blockages and rosebud got very oedematous!!😬 So currently on a liquid diet…the worst when you have pregnancy cravings! Again, thanks so much for your work, and sharing life with a Stoma! 💜
Congratulations on pregnancy after infertility. You’re in the home stretch now. Hopefully your stoma behaves the rest of your journey!
Your way of storytelling is so engaging! I found myself nodding along as if to signal understanding and encourage you to continue. Then I realized this is a video and I am an idiot.
I use a water bottle to put warm water INTO my pouch every time I empty my bag. Cleans everything very well and empties quickly! Cool water is fine too. I’ve been doing this ever since I got my stoma… just a quick rinse and it feels clean and good to go!