Gastrointestinal disorders in pregnancy.

Gastrointestinal disorders constitute one of the most frequent complaints of pregnancy. An understanding of the mode of presentation and the incidence of the various gastrointestinal disorders will optimize care in obstetric patients. Disorders of the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, ilium, jejunum, colon, rectum, and appendix are individually discussed with reference to physiologic changes in pregnancy, infectious diseases, autoimmune disease, and ulcer formation.