Pregnant with Rheumatoid Arthritis

[AlviesMam]

Hello
Posting for a friend as she doesn't have Mumsnet and hasn't told anyone about her pregnancy yet.

This wasn't a planned pregnancy and she didn't come off all her medication.
She is currently taking 25mg methotrexate, 15mg sulphasalazine, folic acid, 64mg TCZ.

Her worry is about the baby having deformities because she didn't come off her medication.

She is also worried about being pregnant and coming off all her medication and how her body will cope etc.

Is there anyone with experience of the above that can reassure her?

She has spoken to her rheumatologist consultant who has explained the risks but would like to hear any real life stories on how people have
Managed etc.

TIA!

She has serious medical decisions to make and should make them with her healthcare team not randoms on the internet

Just because something worked for one person doesn't mean it will work for her and she will be much better getting advice from the experts treating her

Agreed with pp. this isn't a question for the internet. She needs to consult with health care professionals and get their views.

The methotrexate is the big concern isn't it? But I'm not sure how much it increases the risk of birth defects. I'd want to see a midwife/consultant asap before deciding what to do.

My experience with arthritis is - generally - it gets better during pregnancy but there's often a big re-bound flare after the baby is born. She needs to get back on medication as soon as possible after the birth really. I also opted for a ELCS because of the limited mobility I have in some joints but that was a personal choice and my consultant wouldn't have had an issue with my trying for a vaginal birth.

Personally, I'd have a termination. She's been taking abortifacient medication so I'd be far too worried that the pregnancy wasn't viable.

Sorry if that sounds harsh, but I'm also under the rheumatologist so I've already thought through this and decided that's what I'd do.

I have RA and found pregnancy actually helped a lot of symptoms! It got harder towards the end where baby was at their heaviest, so the extra weight just put extra pressure on my joints but I managed it by working from home full time, maintaining walks but significantly reducing the time and hot water bottles. I also opted for water birth which meant I wasn't on my knees or anything which also helped massively. I ended up having back to back labour - so my back pain stuck around for a good few days after I gave birth but I was then able to take pain meds so that helped!

I can't comment on the meds though as I came off everything before trying to get pregnant.

Good luck to your friend!

Methotrexate causes birth defects so women need to come off it a few months before getting pregnant. I think it's the same as men so they need to avoid impregnating a woman. My dermatologist emphasised the dangers to the foetus. I think you need to be off it four months before getting pregnant.

Thank you
Sorry I know we are best waiting for healthcare professionals but she just wanted to find comfort in hearing other stories while she waits for her first appointment.
Thank you for all ur replies xx

Sorry not at all helpful but my first thought when I read the title Pregnant with Rheumatoid Arthritis was “Rheumatoid Arthritis? That’s a terrible name for a baby!”
I thinks it’s been a long week.