How Can Rheumatoid Arthritis Affect Your Pregnancy?

Doctor checking finger joints for rheumatoid arthritisIf you are currently pregnant or expecting to be soon, you may wonder how a condition like rheumatoid arthritis (RA) could affect your pregnancy. Fortunately there is some good news: plenty of women who have rheumatoid arthritis will find that their symptoms go into remission during their pregnancy (What are the symptoms of RA?).

In addition to that, clinical trials on rheumatoid arthritis have shown that this disease shouldn’t affect your chances of getting or completing your pregnancy. On the other hand, there are a few medications prescribed to RA patients which could be unsafe for you and your unborn child if taken during your pregnancy. So, let’s have a look at what you’ll need to keep in mind about rheumatoid arthritis and pregnancy.

 

A Subdued Immune System during Pregnancy

Currently, medical researchers are not really sure why pregnancy can cause a condition like rheumatoid arthritis to go into remission, but they have been investigating a number of theories. As you may already know, RA is an autoimmune disease which can occur when the immune system starts to attack its own healthy tissues and organs. Scientists believe that the immune system be subdued a bit during pregnancy in order to keep the body from attacking the baby as an invading entity. With the immune system less active than normal, this means less inflammation and pain for women with rheumatoid arthritis.

Treating RA during Pregnancy

Of course, not every woman who has this disease will experience complete symptom remission while pregnant. In fact, there are certain cases where women may experience an RA flare-up during their pregnancy.

Studies have shown that nearly half of the RA patients who do get pregnant will require some form of treatment. According to experts, pregnant women can take the steroid, prednisone, safely if they are currently in their second and third trimester and while they are breastfeeding. Many also consider Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) to be safe for expecting mothers.

The Keys to a Successful Pregnancy

One of the best ways to ensure a successful pregnancy and a healthy newborn is the same whether you have been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis or not. If you are currently pregnant, then you should:

• Make sure to gain the appropriate amount of weight.

• Maintain a healthy diet.

• Avoid smoking or drinking alcohol.

• If you get the okay from your doctor, continue to get some exercise.

• Get regular prenatal care.

If you have rheumatoid arthritis, then there are going to be a few extra precautions that you should take during pregnancy.

Prenatal Vitamins and Steroids: No matter who you are, taking a good prenatal vitamin is an essential part of your pregnancy. If you are planning on taking prednisone, then you also run the risk of certain bone loss. This means that you may need more Vitamin D and calcium (the Vitamin D aids in the absorption of more calcium) than is available in normal prenatal vitamins. You should meet with your obstetrician and rheumatologist in order to be sure that you are getting an adequate amount of these two nutrients.

Pregnancy Risks with Prednisone: If you are taking prednisone during your second or third trimester, it should not harm your baby. However, this steroid could cause a spike in blood sugar and blood pressure, so your doctor will need to keep a close watch on your levels. High blood pressure during pregnancy is a significant risk factor for preeclampsia, which can be very serious. If you have high blood sugar, than this could point to gestational diabetes, which could cause a number of complications for both you and your baby. Be sure to meet with your doctor regularly in order to identify any problems as early as possible.

Gum Disease Risk: Recent studies have shown that patients with RA are two times as likely to develop gum disease, and in addition to that, gum disease has been linked to preterm labor. Expectant mothers with rheumatoid arthritis should go to see their dentist for regular cleanings.

Safe Fish Oil Supplementation: Some people like to add fish oil supplements to their diet in order to combat their inflammation. If you are pregnant, then you’ll want to double check with your doctor to make sure that the supplements you plan on taking are mercury free (as this can cause harm to your unborn child).