LAUSR

The prevalence of acute medical complications of pregnancy is increasing, partly due to demographic and lifestyle factors. In most industrialized nations, mothers are delaying childbearing until later in life; older women are at higher risk of complications such as venous thromboembolism and cardiovascular disease. ‘Indirect’ causes (medical and psychiatric) now dominate the list of leading causes of maternal death; some women suffer morbidity caused by medical conditions during or soon after pregnancy. An important part of the solution is to educate and train clinicians in the management of medical problems in pregnancy. Acute symptoms such as chest pain, breathlessness, headache and fever require prompt and thorough assessment. Pregnant women can develop a number of common medical conditions, as well as a few that are specific to pregnancy. Investigations and treatment should not be delayed or withheld simply because a patient is pregnant: most medications and radiological tests can be used in pregnancy.