Mom-to-Be Shares What Pregnancy Is Like With an Ileostomy Bag
Rebekah Wilkinson first shared her story with the world on the Crohn’s & Colitis UK Facebook page in September 2014 (she sent them the photo of herself showing off her ileostomy bag in a bikini), and now she’s followed up with some exciting news: She’s pregnant.
Wilkinson posted a collage of photos on her Instagram page on September 2 and wrote, “It’s been almost a year since I shared my story with the world and so much has changed in 1 year. I am now 28 weeks pregnant and I am starting to have complications with my pregnancy due to my Ileostomy bag.”
Wilkinson and husband Mike Greatbanks announced they were expecting a child on May 21 on Instagram, and while the two are overjoyed with the news, some big health concerns exist. “I currently have 3 ulcers due to the pressure from my little man, an infection and a prolapsed stoma,” Wilkinson wrote alongside the above shot on Instagram. “To say that I’m scared is an understatement it’s a lot to take on mentally and physically. I still have 12 weeks to go and I’m pretty scared not knowing what could happen.”
“But taking all of the above into consideration again I wouldn’t change any of this for the world,” she concluded. “If it wasn’t for my life changing operation I wouldn’t have the life I love and live today. I mean what’s 12 more weeks going to have on a lifetime of happiness. If anyone has any advice and have been through what I am currently going through then please please share your pregnancy story.”
A week later Crohn’s and Colitis UK shared Wilkinson’s update, and she re-shared the post on her Facebook page and added, “Such an amazing feeling knowing that my story can be seen all over the world and hopefully help others understand what affect living with an Ileostomy has on your life and on the people around you during the good times and the bad.”