Effect of rheumatoid on pregnancy and fertility

Women with rheumatoid arthritis often notice changes in their symptoms during pregnancy. Many women with this condition have fewer symptoms during pregnancy, but some may experience confusion during this period.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a long-term condition that primarily affects the joints and causes enlargement, stiffness, loss of function and pain. Anyone can contract RA in any joint, but it usually affects the wrists and fingers.

Rheumatoid arthritis affects women more than men and often develops before menopause. Physicians may need to adapt the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis during pregnancy to continue to manage the glands without harming the developing fetus.

How does rheumatoid arthritis affect pregnancy?

Pregnant women with rheumatoid arthritis may have an increased risk of preeclampsia, premature birth, and low birth weight, and one study has shown that the rate of pregnancy loss in women with rheumatoid arthritis was 17%. This rate is similar to the general population rate, 11-22%. However, pregnant women with rheumatoid arthritis may be at increased risk for the following complications:

Complications of pregnancy in rheumatoid patients

Poisoning pregnancy

According to a study conducted in Taiwan, women with rheumatoid arthritis are at increased risk of preeclampsia, a complication of pregnancy that causes high blood pressure and increased protein levels in the urine, and can also occur after the birth.

Early birth

According to some research, pregnant women with rheumatoid arthritis may be more likely to give birth prematurely.A study of 440 pregnant women with rheumatoid arthritis showed that women with more severe symptoms had a higher risk of giving birth. premature.

Low birth weight

A 2009 study found that women with the most severe rheumatoid arthritis had a higher risk of being underweight in their children. Women with rheumatoid arthritis may have common symptoms during pregnancy and RA. It can sometimes be difficult to distinguish between the conditions that cause the symptoms, including fatigue, shortness of breath, swollen feet and legs, numbness or pain in the hands, and joint pain, particularly at the bottom. back and hips.

Can rheumatoid symptoms decrease during pregnancy?

– Women with rheumatoid arthritis may have fewer symptoms during pregnancy.
– During pregnancy, the immune system undergoes changes that prepare the body to care for the developing fetus.
– About 50% of women with rheumatoid arthritis have fewer symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis during pregnancy, which doctors describe as low activity.

– As a general rule, swelling and joint pain may be reduced during the second trimester of pregnancy. About 20 to 40% of women with rheumatoid arthritis have little or no symptoms of the disease in the third trimester.

However, 20% of women experience severe or more severe rheumatoid arthritis symptoms during pregnancy and may require medical treatment.

Risk of rheumatoid arthritis during pregnancy

– Women with rheumatoid arthritis can have a successful pregnancy and give birth to healthy children, but birth can be more difficult in rheumatoid arthritis in the hips or lumbar spine.

– Although the risks for women and children are low, women with rheumatoid arthritis who wish to become pregnant should talk to their doctor before trying to conceive.

Some rheumatoid arthritis medications may affect pregnancy or the fetus. Your doctor may recommend that you stop or replace certain medications before trying to conceive or once you have found them pregnant.

Arthritis and fertility

– Women with rheumatoid arthritis should talk to their doctor about medications and the best time to try to get pregnant.

– Women with rheumatoid arthritis may have more difficulties during pregnancy than women without rheumatoid arthritis, probably because of the effects of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the use of certain drugs against rheumatoid arthritis, or both.

As a result, it is essential for women with rheumatoid arthritis to talk to their doctors about the medications that they use and the best time to try to get pregnant.

What to expect for a rheumatoid patient after birth

– Many women with rheumatoid arthritis will develop glaucoma shortly after birth, often within 3 months. In this case, it is best to talk to your doctor about medications that can be used to treat the symptoms.

– Doctors generally encourage breastfeeding because it provides many benefits to both the woman and the baby. They can recommend drugs that are safe for the baby or do not switch to breast milk.