Health Problems in Pregnancy

Sometimes health problems develop during pregnancy which can only be resolved by the birth of the baby.

Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy (ICP) (also known as obstetric cholestasis)

High blood pressure

Pre-eclampsia.

How might this affect the timing of the birth?

If you develop a serious health problem during pregnancy, your midwife or doctor may recommend an early birth by induction or caesarean.

Your decision about whether to bring the birth forward and whether to have induction or a planned caesarean may therefore depend on how many weeks pregnant you are, the current health of you and your baby and how severe the problem seems to be.

Questions to ask:

How certain is the diagnosis? (If it is borderline, it might be worth asking to be retested before making any decision.)

How serious does the problem seem to be?

What warning signs might mean that the condition is worsening?

What are the possible risks to me and my baby of continuing the pregnancy, at least up to a certain point (e.g. to 37 or 39 weeks)? How would our well-being be monitored during this time?

If my baby was born prematurely or at early term, what are the possible risks or other consequences of that? What care might be needed once they were born?

What are the risks, benefits and likelihood of success of induction in this situation at this stage of pregnancy?

What are the risks and benefits of a caesarean for me and my baby?