women s health issues
Liver and Gallbladder Disorders During Pregnancy
Hepatitis
 Overview of Acute Viral Hepatitis may increase the risk of premature birth. It is also the most common cause of jaundice during pregnancy. Pregnancy does not worsen most types of hepatis (hepatitis A, B, C, and D), but hepatitis E may become more severe during pregnancy. Hepatitis B may be transmitted to the baby immediately after delivery or, less often, during the pregnancy. Most infected babies have no symptoms and have only mild liver dysfunction. But they may become carriers of the infection and transmit it to others. All pregnant women are tested for hepatitis, and if they are infected, measures are taken to prevent the baby from being infected. Women with Overview of Chronic Hepatitis , especially if cirrhosis is present, may have difficulty becoming pregnant. If they become pregnant, they are more likely to miscarry or to give birth prematurely. If these women were taking corticosteroids before the pregnancy, they can continue to take these medications during pregnancy. Sometimes, when the infection is severe, women with chronic hepatitis are given antiviral medications during the 3rd trimester. These medications may reduce the risk of transmitting the hepatitis virus to the fetus. 