Spinal cord injury and pregnancy.

Spinal cord injuries occur more frequently in women than in the past because of the societal and cultural changes in this country. Female survivors of spinal cord injuries have an improved prognosis for return to independence and societal contribution over their counterparts of 15 to 20 years ago. Because fertility is not affected, it is reasonable to predict that perinatal centers will continue to see an increase in spinal cord-injured patients. The unique nature of the injury makes pregnancy in these women a challenging event. The objectives of care are to prevent the complications associated with pregnancy while supporting independence. A multidisciplinary team approach best serves these patients and provides the best possible outcome for both mother and baby.