Maternal morbidity and mortality are increased by diseases that pre-date pregnancy, and by complications that arise during pregnancy.

Conditions for Consideration of Referral into a Maternal Medicine Centre

Medical disease relevant to a maternal medicine service includes but is not limited to:

• Cardiac disease
• Respiratory disease
• Renal disease
• Haematology
• Rheumatological disease
• Endocrine disease
• Gastrointestinal and liver disease
• Neurological disease
• Skin disease
• Cancer

It also includes acute illness where the underlying condition is not clear, such as:

• Headache
• Breathlessness
• Chest pain
• Palpitations
• Seizures
• Fever/sepsis