Lupus is a chronic inflammatory disease that isn’t discussed nearly as much as it should be.
This condition is a complication whereby an individual’s immune system attacks your organs and tissues. The joints, skin, blood cells, brain, kidneys, lungs, and heart, are touched by inflammation.
Unfortunately, lupus can be challenging to diagnose. The symptoms and signs can be difficult to distinguish, although there’s a distinctive sign of lupus that isn’t found in all cases, which is a facial rash resembling a sprawled-winged butterfly across each cheek.
Lupus can uniquely impact pregnant women. So, if a woman with lupus happens to become pregnant, there are many precautions that she must take, as there are potential risks to both the mother and child. It’s important to speak with one’s physician early and often, but more than that, it’s important to think about medications, it’s important to chat with an obstetrician, and significant to discuss delivery methods during the early stages of pregnancy or even ahead of pregnancy.
According to Doruk Erkan, MD, MPH of the Barbara Volcker Center for Women and Rheumatic Disease, there are ten points to consider to optimize the outcome for who are pregnant while having lupus. Read on for a paraphrasing of eight of those crucial pointers:
- Successful pregnancies are possible when one has lupus. Educating oneself and taking professional advice is essential for lupus patients, who are more likely develop complications than non-lupus patients. Rheumatologists and obstetricians experienced in managing high-risk pregnancies are necessary for discussion. Also, consultation with a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit as well as other advanced facilities is essential as a child may require specialized care. It’s also important to lean on the support of family, who may ease impending challenges.
- Consider what might be the right time to conceive. Ideally, conception should occur when you’re at peak health, and at least six months after disease activity, particularly that involving kidney disease. Visit with your doctor for blood tests and complete physical examination.
- Lupus flares can take place during pregnancy and following delivery. Thankfully, a majority of these flares aren’t life-threatening and can be treated with steroids.
- One can identify lupus flares during one’s pregnancy by looking for patchy hair loss, redness across cheeks and the nose, fatigues, body aches, and fever. Pain and swelling in the joints are also generally reported. The retention of fluid usually leads to the swelling of ankles, feet, and hands.
- For some patients, complications appear in the form of pre-eclampsia, HELLP syndrome (Hemolysis, Elevated Liver Enzymes, Low Platelets), hypertension, urinary tract infections, diabetes, and renal insufficiency. Frequent urination, headaches, abdominal pain, and blurry vision are additionally experienced. The heightened risk of pregnancy loss should also be acknowledged.
- It’s important to note that lupus patients give birth to healthy children, who don’t face an increased risk of mental retardation or congenital disabilities. It’s important to consult your physician about undergoing regular ultrasounds to monitor intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) and low birth weight.
- Discuss any medication with your with your doctor to ensure that it won’t worsen your lupus or cause damage to your child. Consult about steroids, blood thinners, anti-inflammatory drugs, and other medications.
- Mothers with lupus can breastfeed, and if they find it to be a challenge, they shouldn’t hesitate to reach out to a trusted health care professional, who will likely advise against breastfeeding if a mother is on azathioprine, cyclosporine, cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, or mycophenolate mofetil.
Beyond the items listed above, lupus patients should also discuss the possibility of vaginal delivery as an option for delivery ahead of giving birth. Broach vital topics on birth control options, child care, and other necessary issues.
