Top Ten Tips Palliative Care Clinicians Should Know About Caring for Serious Illness in Pregnancy

Palliative care (PC) teams are increasingly being called upon to provide care earlier and more remote from end of life. Because much of the field has grown out of hospice and geriatric care, most teams have little to no experience caring for pregnant women or their fetuses when serious or life-threatening illness strikes. This article, written by a team of oncologists (gynecologic, medical, and radiation) and PC providers, seeks to demystify the care of seriously ill pregnant women and their fetuses by exploring the diagnostic, treatment, prognostication, symptom management, and communication needs of these patients. Truly comprehensive PC extends throughout the life span, from conception to death, regardless of age. Accordingly, increased knowledge of the unique needs of these vulnerable groups will enhance our ability to provide care across this continuum.