Inflammatory bowel disease and pregnancy.

Most women with inflammatory bowel disease who desire to become pregnant can expect to conceive successfully, carry to term, and deliver a healthy infant. However, the management of inflammatory bowel disease during pregnancy remains challenging, and some women with ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease will have difficulty becoming pregnant or have increased disease symptoms while pregnant. Control of disease activity before conception and during pregnancy is critical to optimize both maternal and fetal health. The natural history of inflammatory bowel disease during pregnancy will be reviewed and the medical and surgical therapy discussed.