Can You Have a Baby?
Many women develop arthritis during their childbearing years. There are many factors that go into the decision to have a baby for women without health problems, but there are even more for those who have health concerns. The decision should be made after discussing your plans with your rheumatologist. There is no clear-cut answer to whether you can or should have a baby if you have chronic arthritis. It depends on the individual woman, the severity of disease, and the level of disability, as well as the medications that you may be required to take for your arthritis during a potential pregnancy.
Considerations Before You Become Pregnant
Women who are planning to become pregnant must discontinue certain medications, especially immunosuppressants. With the recommendations of your doctor, you must decide if your arthritis is stable enough so that you can stop medications. You must formulate a plan for how you will deal with flaring of arthritis symptoms that may occur. You must decide, along with your doctor, if you are physically strong enough in your weight-bearing joints to withstand the additional weight that comes with pregnancy.
Essential
Many women with rheumatoid arthritis experience a remission that often occurs by the end of the fourth month of pregnancy. Attributed to hormonal changes, the remission does not continue after pregnancy is over. It is common for a flare of symptoms to occur two to eight weeks after giving birth.
Ultimately, you must consider how pregnancy will affect your arthritis and vice versa. If you decide you are able to become pregnant, and that any physical discomfort that may result is worth the blessing of being able to have a child, follow the guidance of your doctors.
Most women with arthritis can have a normal course of pregnancy. Depending on what joints are involved, you may require a Cesarean section, though. If you decide you can't have a baby, feel no shame. It may be sad to come to that realization, but once again, arthritis brings new realities to your life. Adoption may be a possibility to fulfill your new reality, but this is a very personal decision.
Taking Care of Baby
The pregnancy itself is just one issue. After you give birth, there is an infant who is totally dependent on you. To test your readiness and your stamina, use a 10-pound bag of potatoes or a similar bundle of the approximate weight of a newborn baby. Practice your ability to lift the bundle, walk up and down stairs with it, and cradle it in your arms for a period of time. Literally go through the motions of bathing, feeding, changing, and dressing the baby.
Anticipating any problems you may have is important. You may need a little help with certain baby-care tasks. Is there someone available to help you? You may need to buy equipment or adapt equipment to suit your needs. Think of what you will need and prepare ahead of time.
Will Arthritis Affect My Baby?
Many parents-to-be wonder if their child will inherit arthritis. If the answer was definitive, it might become part of the decision-making process. There is no definitive answer to the question, though. Scientists have associated certain genetic markers with certain types of arthritis, but the connection between the genetic markers and child development is unclear. It cannot be concluded that your child will develop arthritis because you have genetic markers for arthritis. Even if it can be said that heredity is a factor, it is only one factor and there are others.
Statistically speaking, women with rheumatoid arthritis have a greater likelihood of premature births and newborn complications. There is also a higher risk of miscarriage. With types of arthritis which have systemic complications (lupus, scleroderma), there can be life-threatening complications if the mother already has kidney problems, hypertension, or lung problems. High-risk pregnancy must be closely followed by your rheumatologist as well as your OB-GYN doctor.
