Gastroenterology & Hepatology

Gastroenterology & Pregnency

In the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, normal physiological changes during pregnancy produce dramatic modifications. Pregnancy, therefore, poses a unique medical stress to the GI tract, and for many women, is a period of vulnerability for the development of new or exacerbation of existing GI disorders. These changes may cause new symptoms, worsen preexisting disease, or mask potentially deadly disease. A lack of experience in dealing with these symptoms can have devastating effects. The physician must be able to distinguish whether these symptoms are those of normal pregnancy or a potentially life-threatening complication such as preeclampsia. The physician must also know which medications are safe in pregnancy, as well as which tests are safe to perform during pregnancy.

In the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, normal physiological changes during pregnancy produce dramatic modifications. Pregnancy, therefore, poses a unique medical stress to the GI tract, and for many women, is a period of vulnerability for the development of new or exacerbation of existing GI disorders. These changes may cause new symptoms, worsen preexisting disease, or mask potentially deadly disease. A lack of experience in dealing with these symptoms can have devastating effects. The physician must be able to distinguish whether these symptoms are those of normal pregnancy or a potentially life-threatening complication such as preeclampsia. The physician must also know which medications are safe in pregnancy, as well as which tests are safe to perform during pregnancy.