Inflammatory bowel disease and pregnancy: a review

Inflammatory bowel disease often occurs during peak reproductive years. Rates of conception, pregnancy outcome and disease course during pregnancy should be discussed prior to attempted conception. The majority of patients whose disease is well controlled prior to pregnancy should expect a fertility rate comparable to the general population, and an uncomplicated pregnancy with a favorable outcome. The disease should continue to be pharmacologically or surgically controlled as necesssary during pregnancy; the majority of drug options available to pregnant patients being without detriment to the fetus. No predictable inheritance pattern has been established and, at this time, there is no ability to screen prenatally.