Acute medical problems in pregnancy

The maternal population in the UK has become an increasingly challenging group of patients to manage. Women with pre-existing and often complex medical conditions are successfully conceiving. Most physicians will have had some involvement in the care of obstetric patients admitted with medical problems, and a lack of experience and fear of causing harm may result in essential investigations and treatment being withheld. The physiological changes in pregnancy can complicate the interpretation of observations and test results. This article discusses the presentation of commonly encountered medical problems in the obstetric population, including breathlessness, chest pain, palpitations, seizure and headache. It covers specific investigations and suggested treatment in this subset of patients. These women should receive the same level of care and attention as those who are not pregnant. Early diagnosis and effective management can help to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality caused by medical problems arising during pregnancy.