Risks of Pregnancy for Women with Lupus

Pregnant women who have lupus are at greater risk for serious complications — including infection and death, than women without the disease. However, However, this sounds far worse than it is,experts tell WebMD. Such complications still occur infrequently.

Most women with lupus will have healthy pregnancies and babies.

Pregnancy risks that may be associated with lupus

In a study presented by the American College of Rheumatology in Washington, D.C., among its findings: Pregnant women with lupus are 20 times more likely to die, and they’re four times as apt to develop eclampsia, a serious condition often accompanied by seizures.

If you have lupus and plan to get pregnant, there are some steps you should take before trying to conceive.

Ensure your lupus is under control. The healthier you are when you conceive, the greater your chances of having a healthy pregnancy and baby. Pregnancy places additional stress on kidneys. Having active kidney disease can cause problems in pregnancy and may even lead to pregnancy loss. So if possible, avoid getting pregnant until your lupus has been under control for at least six months. That’s especially true for lupus-related kidney disease.

Review medications with your doctor. Some medications are safe to take during pregnancy. Others, though, can harm your baby. Your doctor may need to stop or switch some medications before you become pregnant. Drugs that should never be taken during pregnancy include methotrexate, cyclophosphamide, mycophenolate mofetil, leflunomide, and warfarin. Some drugs need to be stopped months before you try to become pregnant.

Select an obstetrician for high-risk pregnancies. Because lupus may present certain risks — including pregnancy-induced hypertension and preterm birth — you will need an obstetrician who has experience with high-risk pregnancies and is at a hospital that specializes in high-risk deliveries. If possible, you should meet with the obstetrician before getting pregnant.