ABSTRACT
Midwives will be familiar with ‘minor’ disorders, such as heartburn and constipation, that are caused by the anatomical and physiological changes to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract in pregnancy. However, they may encounter disorders of the GI tract that can cause more serious consequences for the woman and her infant such as hyperemesis gravidarum, acute cholecystitis and intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (formerly known as obstetric cholestasis). In addition, women may have pre-existing disorders (such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome or coeliac disease) and appropriate referral to medical specialists and/or a dietician may be indicated. Delay in diagnosis of acute GI conditions such as appendicitis may occur in pregnancy and careful midwifery assessment and referral of unusual symptoms is advocated.
