RA and pregnancy

[mysweetone]

I am 23 and will be married this year. Last October, I was diagnosed of having RA. I plan to check some therapies/exercises to help me with RA. Are there any reports of women with RA not being able to conceive? Any info?

[shan2022001]

I too was diagnosed recently, on my 31st birthday, and had the same questions. According to my rheumatologist, RA does not effect conception, however MANY of the drugs used to treat RA have been known to cause birth defects. According to my rheumatologist, the only drug that does not cause birth defects is Sulfazine. I have read many studies on pregnant women with RA who claim the disease goes into remission during pregnancy. I am not sure how accurate this is.
I am not taking any chances though, when and if I get pregnant I am not taking anything. I hope to use herbal supplements and exercise to control the pain and flares,
Good luck to you!

[leighdu]

I have two brothers and two sisters, and 4 out of 5 of us have an autoimmune disease. Both my sisters as well as me have RA. We all have healthy children and ironically our flare ups were almost non existent while pregnant. For some reason it seems you may go into remission while pregnant, but don't quote me on that. Might be something to check out with your doctor. I know there are studies being done now about why that happens. Also, none of us took any medication while pregnant.

[savvyeyty]

I am 23 and will be married this year. Last October, I was diagnosed of having RA. I plan to check some therapies/exercises to help me with RA. Are there any reports of women with RA not being able to conceive? Any info?

Nope. Ra has no effects in pregnant women.

[savvyeyty]

I too was diagnosed recently, on my 31st birthday, and had the same questions. According to my rheumatologist, RA does not effect conception, however MANY of the drugs used to treat RA have been known to cause birth defects. According to my rheumatologist, the only drug that does not cause birth defects is Sulfazine. I have read many studies on pregnant women with RA who claim the disease goes into remission during pregnancy. I am not sure how accurate this is.
I am not taking any chances though, when and if I get pregnant I am not taking anything. I hope to use herbal supplements and exercise to control the pain and flares,
Good luck to you!

That would be better. I don't think any mother would really want to take any risks when they are pregnant.

[Heather]

I was actually diagnosed when I was pregnant with my first child. The first spot was in my hip, and it flared up because of how my hips spread. Be careful of herbs while pregnant, though because many of them can induce an abortion.

[naturelover]

shan2022001 I too was diagnosed recently, on my 31st birthday, and had the same questions. According to my rheumatologist, RA does not effect conception, however MANY of the drugs used to treat RA have been known to cause birth defects. According to my rheumatologist, the only drug that does not cause birth defects is Sulfazine. I have read many studies on pregnant women with RA who claim the disease goes into remission during pregnancy. I am not sure how accurate this is.
I am not taking any chances though, when and if I get pregnant I am not taking anything. I hope to use herbal supplements and exercise to control the pain and flares,
Good luck to you!

Absolutely correct. I too read that when woman during pregnancy takes medication for RA, it did pass on to the fetus and did cause some sort of birth deficiency. But does not affect getting conceived. For utmost care, please consult your Rheumatologist.

[crimson]

Being pregnant and having RA is very difficult. Here's a link that can or maybe help you with it. Pregnancy with RA (http://www.webmd.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/ra-tips-for-living-8/pregnancy)

[prasanth5]

I do not think so. They have every chance to conceive. Exercise and calcium should solve the issue to some extent I believe. But always consult yout doctor and get his advice. Nothing is impossible for us if we are resolved to have anything in this world.