Cystic fibrosis in pregnancy.

Previously considered a pediatric disorder, cystic fibrosis (CF) is becoming a more common complication of pregnancy as these patients have increasing life expectancies. CF produces profound physiologic alterations in major organ systems. These alterations augment the physiologic changes of pregnancy. Perinatal nurses can meet the complex needs of these patients by increasing their understanding of the disease process, pregnancy-related alterations, and current treatment modalities.