We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Should I Know About Rheumatoid Arthritis and Pregnancy?

A.E. Freeman
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 6,215
Share

You should know several things about rheumatoid arthritis and pregnancy if you suffer from the condition and hope to become pregnant. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that most commonly affects women. It typically causes joint inflammation and pain in the hands and feet. Most medications for rheumatoid arthritis should not be taken during pregnancy. Another thing to know is that rheumatoid arthritis may cause complications and difficulty in delivering the baby.

If you plan on having a baby, it is important to discuss rheumatoid arthritis and pregnancy with your doctor first. He or she may need to adjust your medication, especially if you are taking either methotrexate and leflunomide, anti-rheumatoid drugs that work against the progression of the disease. Both drugs can lead to birth defects if taken while a couple is trying to conceive. Birth defects can occur if either parent takes the medication during conception. Depending on the type of medication you are on, you may need to plan years in advance of becoming pregnant, as it takes a while for the medications to fully leave your body. For instance, leflunomide can cause birth defects up to two years after you stop taking it.

It is important to know what treatments are safe for rheumatoid arthritis and pregnancy. You may do well taking certain corticosteroids while pregnant or a different type of anti-rheumatoid drug, such as sulfasalazine. Another way to reduce risk to the fetus is to stop taking medication entirely while trying to become pregnant and during the course of your pregnancy. Many women with rheumatoid arthritis experience fewer or no symptoms during pregnancy. Unfortunately for some women, their condition may become worse if they go off medication while pregnant.

While most women are able to bear a child without complications, rheumatoid arthritis and pregnancy do present certain risks to the fetus. Babies born to women with rheumatoid arthritis are more likely to have a low birth weight. Rheumatoid arthritis may increase a woman's chance of delivering too soon or make her more likely to need a cesarean section during delivery.

About 3 percent of women with rheumatoid arthritis may develop preeclampisa during pregnancy, compared to 1 percent of all women without rheumatoid arthritis. Symptoms of preeclampsia include high blood pressure and protein in urine. It typically occurs after the 20th week of pregnancy and can be very dangerous to the mother and baby, especially if it occurs early on. Complications from preeclampsia can include seizures in the mother, lack of oxygen and blood flow to the fetus, and placental abruption, when the placenta detaches from the uterine wall.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
A.E. Freeman
By A.E. Freeman
Amy Freeman, a freelance copywriter and content creator, makes engaging copy that drives customer acquisition and retention. With a background in the arts, she combines her writing prowess with best practices to deliver compelling content across various domains and effectively connect with target audiences.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
By anon349640 — On Sep 27, 2013

Having natural remedies for arthritis is the one thing right now in order to cure the pain I am suffering now. Thanks for this post. It was a lot of help!

A.E. Freeman
A.E. Freeman
Amy Freeman, a freelance copywriter and content creator, makes engaging copy that drives customer acquisition and...
Learn more
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-should-i-know-about-rheumatoid-arthritis-and-pregnancy.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.