What is the most common cause of small bowel obstruction during pregnancy?

The most common cause of small bowel obstruction during pregnancy is adhesions. During pregnancy, the enlarging uterus can lead to changes in the abdominal and pelvic anatomy, which may promote the development of adhesions. These are fibrous bands that can form as a result of previous surgical procedures or inflammation and can cause the small intestine to become constricted or twisted, leading to an obstruction.

While hernias are also a consideration, especially with the increased abdominal pressure during pregnancy, they are not as prevalent a cause of obstructions as adhesions in this specific patient population. Intussusception and malrotation are significantly less common as causes of small bowel obstruction during pregnancy and typically present with acute abdominal pain and require prompt diagnosis and intervention, but they do not occur as frequently as adhesions in this context.

Thus, the presence of adhesions, influenced by the physiological and anatomical changes during pregnancy, makes them the leading cause of small bowel obstruction in this demographic.