Abstract
The incidence of chronic inflammatory bowel disease (chronic IBD) in persons of reproductive
age is high. Chronic IBD does not typically lead to impaired fertility. Nevertheless,
the percentage of women suffering from chronic IBD who have children is lower than
that of the general population, due to self-imposed childlessness. Providing women
with open, unbiased information and, if necessary, helping them to overcome baseless
fears should therefore be an essential part of preconception counseling. With the
exception of methotrexate, most standard drugs can and should be continued during
pregnancy. If the pregnancy occurs during an inactive phase of disease, the rate of
complications in pregnancy should, in principle, not be higher than normal. Nevertheless,
pregnant women with chronic IBD are classed as high-risk pregnancies. Organ screening
in accordance with DEGUM II criteria should be carried out in every case, and women
must be monitored for the potential development
of placental insufficiency. Any flare-ups which occur during pregnancy should
be treated in full. Vaginal delivery can be considered if there is no perianal manifestation
of disease; however, the individual risk must be carefully weighed up.
Key words
chronic inflammatory bowel disease - Crohnʼs disease - ulcerative colitis - pregnancy
