CALGARY- A brand new clinic has opened its doors, aimed at helping expectant moms with inflammatory bowel disease through their pregnancies.
Southern Alberta has one of the world’s highest rates of IBD—an autoimmune disease that comes in the form of either Chron’s disease or ulcerative colitis.
Women suffering from the condition can have healthy pregnancies, but only if it’s properly managed.
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“We do know from previous data that for patients that flare during their pregnancy, they do have a slightly higher risk of being hospitalized and delivering a smaller baby,” explains Dr. Yvette Leung.
There are things doctors can do, however, to help.
“Often we talk about changing the dose a little bit to accommodate for the delivery of their baby and to minimize potential exposure of the drug for the baby.”
The new clinic located at the Foothills Hospital is a Canadian first and will also be used for research. For more information, call 403-944-6539.
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