Gynecology

Immunology in women

During maternity, the mother’s immune system is in constant flux.  It is now widely accepted that there is a finely tuned interaction between maternal and fetal cells to support a healthy pregnancy. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy including pre-eclampsia and eclampsia are a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide, yet can be mitigated through routine monitoring and management of blood pressure during pregnancy. Despite blood pressure assessment being an essential part of antenatal care services, the ability to measure regularly and easily with a functioning device, recognize elevated numbers, and provide referral when warranted remain important barriers to reducing these morbidities.