Abstract
Cystic fibrosis (CF) involves the exocrine glands and epithelial tissues of the pancreas, sweat glands, and mucus glands in therespiratory, digestive, and reproductive tracts. Significant pulmonary disease, poor nutritional status, and pulmonary hypertension areresults of chronic infections. When the woman with CF becomes pregnant, her body may find it difficult to adjust to the normalphysiological changes of pregnancy, with the pulmonary, cardiovascular, and nutritional status being particularly stressed. Both the motherand the fetus are at a significant risk for increased morbidity and mortality. The woman whose life and pregnancy are compromised by CFand/or the newborn who is diagnosed with CF offer the nurse an extremely challenging situation-one in which physical andpsychological care are proportional in importance. As part of the healthcare team, which includes a perinatologist, a pulmonary medicinespecialist, a neonatologist, an anesthesiologist, a geneticist, a dietitian, a respiratory therapist, a social worker, an ethicist, andperhaps a clergyman, the nurse helps to coordinate and carry out the care needed for a successful outcome.