Drug Ther Bull. 2022 Feb;60(2):24-28. doi: 10.1136/dtb.2020.000076.

Naomi Primrose ¹, Emma Johnston ²

Author information

• ¹Obstetrics and Gyanecology, Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK Naomi.primrose@nhs.net.
• ²Gastroenterology, West Middlesex University Hospital, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.

Abstract

Inflammatory bowel diseases commonly present in young adulthood and it is estimated that up to one in 200 pregnant women have IBD. Key factors for successful pregnancy outcome are disease remission at the time of conception and optimal disease control during pregnancy, with active disease increasing the risk of adverse effects for both mother and baby. This article forms part of a series on prescribing for pregnancy and discusses the impact of IBD on pregnancy and the influence pregnancy may have on IBD. It highlights the importance of prepregnancy care and collaborative working between obstetric and gastroenterology specialties as well as focusing on prescribing before, during and after pregnancy, exploring treatment options for IBD which are evolving rapidly as new immunosuppressive agents emerge.