Inflammatory bowel disease during pregnancy

The prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) increased in the last decades. Thus, the number of pregnant women with the condition is also increasing. Given that active disease itself is the main risk factor for complications during pregnancy, it is necessary to achieve a complete remission before planning a pregnancy. Also, pregnant women with IBD must be monitored noninvasively and be treated proactively, including escalated therapies, if needed, to prevent potential flares during pregnancy. Patients can undergo vaginal delivery in most forms of IBD. However, cesarean delivery is still preferable in women with a history of ileal pouch-anal anastomoses (IPAA) or active perianal disease.