Surgical and urological problems in pregnancy

Acute abdominal conditions developing in pregnancy produce significant diagnostic and therapeutic dilemmas. Symptoms may mimic those of normal or abnormal pregnancy. Signs are often altered, obscured or absent. Investigations are complicated by the normal changes during pregnancy that resemble disease or produce changes in reference ranges. The risks to the fetus of ionising radiation, analgesics, antibiotics and anaesthetics must all be borne in mind. Treatment may be limited by the need to avoid or minimise surgery. All of these factors can lead to delays in diagnosis and treatment for some severe intra-abdominal emergencies, which can pose significant threat to both mother and fetus.