[Family planning and pregnancy with thalassemia major]

We present the case of a young Italian woman with thalassemia major and describe a series of complications such as infertility, fetal growth restriction, difficult intubation, and cardiac decompensation that occurred in the course of family planning, pregnancy, and the puerperal period. By review of the literature and based on own experiences, we show how the preconceptional consultation and the care during a pregnancy, especially the individualized planning of delivery, can be optimized. The intensive and interdisciplinary care by obstetricians and internists is very important.