ACUTE ABDOMINAL-PAIN IN PREGNANCY

For the pregnant patient, the onset of acute abdominal pain during pre gnancy primarily engenders fears of fetal harm. For the obstetrician, not only are there concerns for the fetus and for abdominal emergencie s unique to pregnancy, but essentially all abdominal catastrophes poss ible for the nonpregnant woman can also occur. Moreover, anatomic and physiologic changes of pregnancy can confuse or even mask serious intr a-abdominal pathology. This uncertainty could lead to a delay of defin itive therapy and, consequently, in higher morbidity for mother and fe tus. This article reviews changes that make precise diagnosis difficul t and presents diagnostic and management plans for several possible ca uses of acute abdominal pain during pregnancy.