Prof. Fionnuala McAuliffe, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, at the National Maternity Hospital, Holles Street provides expert advice for women living with inflammatory arthritis who are thinking of having a family.
According to Prof. McAuliffe, the key piece of advice is to plan the pregnancy, take folic acid, and ideally to get pregnant when the disease is in remission.
It’s important for women to keep active, through exercising like walking or swimming, and to liaise with their physiotherapist. This also helps ensure that weight gain is normal. If women keep active, they seem to recover better from the birth, while the birth itself seems to be more straightforward, says Prof. McAuliffe.
If a woman is taking medication, she should seek advice from her rheumatologist before getting pregnant about the medication. If there are other issues, it is advised to meet with an obstetrician. Keeping all members of your healthcare professional team informed of your plans and situation is recommended.
Further information about pregnancy and arthritis is available in the Arthritis Ireland booklet on this topic, available on their website.
Supported by UCB through an educational grant.
