Pregnancy and delivery in patients with a continent ileostomy

Patients undergoing surgical treatment for inflammatory disease of the intestine are often in their reproductive years. Therefore, it is highly relevant to study the influence of surgical treatment on later pregnancy and delivery. Reported herein are 28 patients with continent ileostomies who have carried 37 pregnancies to term. An increased urge to empty the ileostomy reservoir, especially in the late period of pregnancy, was noted by the majority of patients. About one-third of the patients reported some difficulties with intubation of the reservoir in late pregnancy but in only a few patients did these disturbances result in a revisional operation after delivery. Pregnancy was normal in most instances and only four premature childbirths occurred. All pregnancies resulted in live birth. Vaginal delivery was successful in the majority of the patients, cesarean section being chosen for obstetric reasons in nine instances. From this study, it is concluded that, in patients with a continent ileostomy, normal pregnancy and delivery can be expected. However, in a few instances, the ileostomy function may be disturbed, necessitating later revisional operations.