Rheumatoid Arthritis and Pregnancy Research Note
By Reader's Digest Editors
A brief digest about this topic
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) develops when your immune system attacks tissue in your joints—leading to pain, stiffness and worsening joint damage. Three times more common in women than men, RA is often diagnosed during a woman’s 20s or 30s, just when she’s thinking about starting a family. Concerns about the safety of RA medications for a developing fetus, about staying strong and healthy during pregnancy, and about breastfeeding and caring for a baby and toddler make many women with RA wonder whether they can become mothers. The good news: Most women with RA have normal pregnancies without complications. The key is plenty of preconception planning with your rheumatologist and obstetrician.
Fast Facts:- In 75% of pregnancies, RA symptoms calm down, allowing you to reduce or eliminate some medications. RA usually flares again 3 to 4 months after delivery.
- RA drugs that can cause birth defects include methotrexate, leflunomide (Arava) and mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept). These must be stopped before conception.
- Safer medications include prednisone, hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil), sulfasalazine, anti-TNF drugs (Enbrel) as well as acetaminophen, ibuprofen and aspirin.
- Risk for complications such as pre-eclampsia (dangerous high blood pressure in mothers) and a low-birth-weight baby is only slightly higher in women with RA.
- Be patient about conception. RA may reduce a woman’s libido and make ovulation inconsistent.
Rheumatoid arthritis tied to pregnancy complications | Reuters
reuters.com — “NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Pregnant women with rheumatoid arthritis may have increased risks of high blood pressure, having an underweight baby or needing a cesarean section, a new study suggests.Rheumatoid” View full resource at reuters.com
Rheumatoid Pregnancy | Arthritis Pregnancy | Arthritis Today Magazine
arthritistoday.org — “Want to know more about rheumatoid pregnancy? Here's what you need to know if an arthritis pregnancy is in your future from Arthritis Today Magazine.” View full resource at arthritistoday.org
Rheumatoid Arthritis - Q&A:Pregnancy and Rheumatoid Arthritis
healthcentral.com — “how RA, biologics affect fertility, pregnancy and childbrith” View full resource at healthcentral.com
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