Bella was born with Long Segment Hirschsprungs and has had an ostomy since she was 3 days old. Almost eight years later, Bella’s ostomy does not stop her from having fun! From swimming to teaching her friends about her "pouchy", Bella is living life to the fullest.
Common Questions About Your Child's Stoma
Look for these characteristics:1
Red, moist, and soft to the touch, like the inside of your mouth
Round or oval in shape
Flat or raised up on the abdominal surface
A stoma is created from tissue that is much like the lining inside your cheek. The stoma has a good blood supply, and it is not uncommon for it to bleed slightly when it is cleaned during pouch changes.
Certain foods may change the color of stool. For example, red gelatin or beets may give stool a bright red color that looks like blood, but is harmless. However, if you are ever uncomfortable with the color of your child's stool, call the doctor.2,1,3
If you see these abnormalities in your child's stoma, contact his or her healthcare provider immediately: 1
The color of the stoma becomes very dark or very pale
There is blood in your child's stool, or blood is flowing from the stoma
Follow Bella on her social channels
Bella
Entrepreneur, Medical mom/content creator
1. Ostomy: adapting to life after colostomy, ileostomy or urostomy. Mayo Clinic website. Accessed April 16, 2024. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/colon-cancer/in-depth/ostomy/art-20045825
2. Colostomy: Department of surgery: SUNY Upstate Medical University. Department of Surgery | Colon & Rectal Surgery. 1988-2024. Accessed February 27, 2024. https://www.upstate.edu/surgery/healthcare/colorectal/colostomy.php.
3. Healthwise Staff. Living with an ostomy. UPMC Life Changing Medicine . July 26, 2023. Accessed December 4, 2023. https://www.upmc.com/health-library/article?hwid=ug2186
4. United Ostomy Associations of America, Inc. (UOAA). LIVING WITH AN ILEOSTOMY. Published online 2022. Accessed January 17, 2024. https://www.ostomy.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/UOAA_Living_with_an_Ileostomy_Guide-2022-10.pdf.
5. Hoeflok, J. Stoma shape. GI Society | Canadian Society of Intestinal Research . 2024. Accessed February 27, 2024. https://badgut.org/information-centre/ostomies/stoma-shape/#:~:text=Changes%20to%20the%20size%20and%20shape%20of%20a%20new%20stoma,about%206%20weeks%20after%20surgery.
6. How to change, empty and conceal an ostomy bag. UChicago Medicine | How to Use an Ostomy Bag and Pouching System. 2024. Accessed February 27, 2024. https://www.uchicagomedicine.org/conditions-services/colon-rectal-surgery/ostomy/guide-to-pouching-systems/how-to-use-a-pouching-system#:~:text=To%20prevent%20the%20pouch%20from,in%20a%2024%2Dhour%20period.
7. Laparoscopic total colectomy and Ileoanal Pullthrough Program: Ostomy Diet Guidelines. Boston Children’s Hospital. 2005 - 2024. Accessed February 27, 2024. https://www.childrenshospital.org/programs/laparoscopic-total-colectomy-and-ileoanal-pullthrough-program/your-visit/home-care/ostomy#:~:text=Your%20child%20may%20develop%20a,foods%20well%20to%20avoid%20blockages.
You don’t have to figure it out alone, sign up to me+ today