Pregnancy and surgery

Medically necessary surgery must not be delayed unsafely during pregnancy. The surgeon, anaesthetist and maternity team jointly assess urgency, stage of pregnancy, anaesthesia, medicines, blood clots and monitoring of the baby. Non-essential procedures are usually postponed until after pregnancy.

• Persistent or localised severe abdominal pain, fever, vomiting and inability to drink may have a surgical cause.
• Sudden one-sided pelvic pain with nausea may indicate ovarian torsion.
• Tell every treating team that you are pregnant and how many weeks along you are. Bring your maternity record, medicine list and allergy details.
• Follow fasting instructions precisely. Do not secretly eat or drink, and be honest if you have done so.
• Before surgery, call for new fever, respiratory symptoms, bleeding, contractions, broken waters or reduced baby movements.
• For urgent GP care outside office hours, call HAP 9252. Call Ambulance 912 only for an immediate threat to life.