Pregnancy poses a great challenge for patients with rheumatic diseases.
Some diseases flare with pregnancy. Some get better with pregnancy. Some may flare up or become better with pregnancy.
We cannot use all rheumatic drugs in pregnant patients.
Perfect planning of the pregnancy well in advance for a smooth journey in pregnancy and postpartum without affecting both mother and foetus under the guidance of a treating rheumatologist is most important.
Some diseases are associated with recurrent abortions and stillbirths.
The majority of rheumatic diseases affect a younger age group in their reproductive period, and thus reproductive health and autoimmunity pose unique challenges to treating rheumatologists.