Help! My orthopaedic patient is pregnant!

Caring for a pregnant patient is a possibility in every field of nursing. Understanding the effects various illnesses may have on pregnancy and vice versa is important in preventing damage to the fetus and/or complications for the pregnant woman. This article assists orthopaedic nurses to practice proactively and anticipate problems during the care of the pregnant patient and avoid undesirable outcomes. Selected physiologic changes in pregnancy and their implications of orthopaedic conditions are described. Implications for nursing care with pregnant women with an orthopaedic condition are also discussed.