Rheumatoid Arthritis Joint and Pregnancy

Women having rheumatoid arthritis joint must be very careful during their pregnancy. A special medical care and advice becomes essential for women with rheumatoid arthritis during their pregnancy period. Some women having rheumatoid arthritis have also been allegedly advised not to get pregnant for the sake of their health and the health of the baby as well

There is a sheer uncertainty about the affect of rheumatoid arthritis on a pregnant women and that calls for all the problems associated with it. But you need not worry, as with proper guidance and medical advice, you can also carry your pregnancy forward and handle it with care.

Some of the pregnancy advices for rheumatoid arthritis patients have been noted below:

1- With proper medical guidance and thorough observation, every women suffering from rheumatoid arthritis joint problems and other conditions can actually deliver the baby successfully. During pregnancy, it is very important for women to see a good obstetrician, and if they are rheumatic, they would also need the help of a rheumatologist. A team approach would lead to a successful pregnancy.

2- Some specific conditions are responsible for determining the actual effect of the pregnancy on rheumatoid arthritis. When pregnancy is accompanied by lupus, rheumatoid arthritis of the joints or other such conditions, there are some specific characteristics associated with it. A woman suffering from rheumatoid arthritis shows improvements during pregnancy, but the flares might be seen once again post delivery. With lupus, you might note moderate flares during pregnancy as well as after delivery.

3- Rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by inflammation of the joints and this condition is treated with medications which might be problematic for a pregnant woman. Optimally, a pregnant woman must not take any other medicines until she delivers the child. However, if the condition is severe and medications become essential, then one must weight the associated side effects and diseases that could affect the pregnant mother and the child she is bearing, simultaneously.

4- A consensus still prevails regarding the safety of the anti-rheumatic medications that can be used during pregnancy as well as during lactation. A team of experienced rheumatologists, obstetricians and internists have agreed upon some of the medicines that can be used during pregnancy and also during lactation. The acceptable medicines are NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), until the 32nd week, Azulfidine sulfaslazine), Plaquenil (hydrixychlorouine) and Corticosteroids (under 10 gms). However, there are some drugs that cannot be taken during pregnancy or lactation and proper care must be taken in this regard. Drugs like Methotrexate, CellCept (mycophenolate), Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide), Rituxan (rituximab) and Anti-TNF drugs.

5- Before making attempts to get pregnant, every woman must go for a rheumatic check up. If you have had problems like rheumatoid arthritis and joint aches, you need special care during pregnancy. In such cases, you would have to see an obstetrician as well as a rheumatologist. By doing so, you would give equal chances to the specialists to plan a proper course of treatment for you.

Pregnancy is very vital for every woman, but if you have rheumatoid arthritis, you would need to be even more careful than any regular pregnant woman. Rheumatoid arthritis can affect your joints and that of your child’s as well, and I am sure you don’t want that.

Summary:

Rheumatoid arthritis is a severe disease and if it strikes a woman during pregnancy, it can be critical. Also, women who have been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, must be very careful while planning their pregnancy.