Pregnancy and Preconception Care for Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

BACKGROUND

For both men and women, family planning, including decisions regarding marriage and childbearing, is a significant life event that contributes to overall "happy life." Patients with chronic diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease face not only concerns about common pregnancy-related complications but also disease-specific challenges, including the potential effects of medications on the fetus and the risk of disease exacerbation during pregnancy. In response to these concerns, patients may occasionally make misguided decisions, such as the self-discontinuation of necessary treatment, increasing the risk of adverse health outcomes for both maternal health and fetal development.

SUMMARY: Preconception care aims to address these concerns by providing guidance to mitigate factors that may negatively impact maternal and fetal health. This includes optimizing behavioral, personal, and environmental determinants of health. In this review article, we discuss the role of preconception care in supporting an optimized pregnancy, safe delivery, and healthy postpartum period for the patients wishing to have babies.

KEY MESSAGES: Proper preconception counseling can improve the pregnancy outcomes. Healthcare professionals play a crucial role in preconception care by providing patients with accurate medical knowledge and guidance, enabling them to make informed decisions and ensuring a safe and well-prepared pregnancy and childbirth.