Medical treatment for pregnant women: balancing risks and benefits.

摘要

Pregnant women are prone to medical diseases requiring treatment similar to non-pregnant individuals. However, unlike for non-pregnant women and men, medical therapies may not have been studied in the setting of pregnancy and there are concerns regarding the effect of such therapies on the developing fetus. Thus, when the obstetrician, serving as the primary physician for pregnant women, facilitates diagnosis and treatment of conditions in pregnancy, the risks and benefits of treatment, suboptimal treatment, and no treatment all must be carefully considered and discussed with the patient.