Pregnant woman protected by a bubble, symbolizing IBD management during pregnancy.

IBD and Pregnancy: A Comprehensive Guide for Expectant Mothers

Reese Marlowe in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 3 min read.

"Navigating treatment options, managing symptoms, and ensuring a healthy pregnancy with inflammatory bowel disease."

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) affects many women during their childbearing years. Balancing IBD treatment with the health of both mother and fetus requires careful consideration. Untreated IBD flare-ups during pregnancy can lead to serious complications, making effective management essential.

Many patients and even some physicians lack full understanding about the safety of IBD medications during pregnancy. This can lead to unnecessary discontinuation of vital treatments. However, controlling IBD activity is the single most important factor in ensuring a positive pregnancy outcome.

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of managing IBD during pregnancy. It covers everything from understanding the clinical manifestations and safely diagnosing IBD, to exploring treatment options and nutritional support, empowering you to make informed decisions for a healthy pregnancy.

Understanding IBD Symptoms and Pregnancy

Pregnant woman protected by a bubble, symbolizing IBD management during pregnancy.

The symptoms of IBD during pregnancy mirror those experienced at other times. While most pregnancies in women with IBD are classified as high-risk, many proceed without significant complications. However, clinical exacerbations can occur, particularly in the first trimester, affecting up to a third of pregnant women with IBD.

Research indicates that women in remission at conception have a lower risk of flare-ups during pregnancy. Keeping the disease under control is associated with better outcomes, while active disease increases the risk of complications.

Increased risk of spontaneous abortions.
Premature deliveries.
Babies born with low birth weight and/or small for gestational age.
Increased need for surgical deliveries.

Maintaining adequate control of IBD is the best way to mitigate risks and promote a healthy pregnancy. It's crucial to work closely with your gastroenterologist and obstetrician to develop a personalized management plan.

Key Takeaways for a Healthy Pregnancy with IBD

The primary goal is to manage IBD effectively to minimize risks and improve pregnancy outcomes. Don't let fear of medication side effects lead to undertreatment; work with your doctors to find safe and effective options.

Maintaining remission is key. Active IBD poses a greater threat to both mother and baby than most medications when appropriately managed.

With careful planning and close medical supervision, women with IBD can have healthy pregnancies and deliver healthy babies. Stay informed, advocate for your health, and prioritize disease control.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1590/s0004-28032010000200016, Alternate LINK

Title: Treatment Of Inflammatory Bowel Disease And Pregnancy: A Review Of The Literature

Subject: Gastroenterology

Journal: Arquivos de Gastroenterologia

Publisher: FapUNIFESP (SciELO)

Authors: Lucianna Motta Correia, Danielle Queiroz Bonilha, Juliana Dantas Ramos, Orlando Ambrogini, Sender Jankiel Miszputen

Published: 2010-06-01

Everything You Need To Know

Why is it important to manage inflammatory bowel disease effectively during pregnancy?

For women with inflammatory bowel disease, effective disease management is paramount. Uncontrolled IBD, especially flare-ups, can increase the risk of spontaneous abortions, premature deliveries, and babies born with low birth weight or small for gestational age. Managing IBD effectively helps mitigate these risks and promotes a healthier pregnancy.

How does the state of inflammatory bowel disease at conception impact pregnancy?

Maintaining remission of inflammatory bowel disease at conception significantly lowers the risk of flare-ups during pregnancy. Research shows that women who conceive while their IBD is well-controlled experience better pregnancy outcomes compared to those with active disease. This underscores the importance of proactive IBD management before and during pregnancy.

Are medications for inflammatory bowel disease safe to use during pregnancy?

Yes, many medications used to manage inflammatory bowel disease are considered safe during pregnancy when closely monitored by healthcare providers. However, decisions about medication use should be made in consultation with both a gastroenterologist and an obstetrician, balancing the benefits of controlling IBD symptoms against potential risks. Discontinuing necessary IBD treatments can lead to disease flare-ups, posing greater risks to both the mother and the baby.

Is it common to experience IBD flare-ups during pregnancy?

Clinical exacerbations of inflammatory bowel disease can occur during pregnancy, particularly in the first trimester. Up to one-third of pregnant women with IBD may experience flare-ups, highlighting the need for continuous monitoring and proactive management strategies. Regular communication with healthcare providers is crucial for promptly addressing any changes in symptoms or disease activity.

Why are pregnancies in women with inflammatory bowel disease considered high risk, and what can be done to mitigate these risks?

Pregnancies in women with inflammatory bowel disease are generally classified as high-risk due to the potential for complications related to IBD. These complications include increased risk of flare-ups, premature deliveries, and the need for surgical deliveries. Managing IBD activity is the single most important factor in ensuring a positive pregnancy outcome. However, with proper management and close monitoring by a gastroenterologist and obstetrician, many women with IBD can experience healthy pregnancies and deliver healthy babies.