Pregnancy

Hi

I'm interested to hear about anyone else's experience in finding out solid, concrete information from their health professional when considering whether or not to fall pregnant.  I have Lupus Nephritis and I have been to see my specialist 3 times on the subject and I'm none the wiser.  For example he says "if you ask me if you should fall pregnant the answer is no.... if you ask me whether its medically possible the answer is yes but there are risks.  This is delivered in an 'airy' way - I've been thinking that maybe this is because the disease is so variable and maybe there isn't any way to solidly assess the risk.  I am in remission and have been for about 6 months and am on Aziathioprine and Plaquenil.  All good and I feel great though I know I still have ANA indicators.  From my perspective I think I have had a model recovery. Anyway any thoughts would be welcome (note I can't change my specialist or get a second opinion as I live in a remote location.

 

Hi,
I also have lupus nephritis (since '95) and I am also a post transplant patient. I got pregnant in '09 and now have a little girl. I had to adjust some of my meds. you can be on Aziathioprine while you are pregnant but not Plaquenil. I changed my meds around and we waited a while to make sure the meds would keep me in remission before my docs, my hubby and I decided it was time. I ended up delivering a preemie but it didnt have much to do with the lupus. I ended up with pregnancy induced hypertension. What doc are you talking to? Have you talked to a perinatologist (high risk ob)?

I also have Lupus Nephritis Class III. I just had a baby at the end of December. However, I found out I was pregnant just before I was to begin taking Cellcept. Throughout my pregnancy I only had a few issues, non involving my kidneys. I had to deliver my baby 3 weeks early because she had stopped growing, but that may be due to the fact that I took prednisone throughout my entire pregnancy to ward off any flares. One of the drs. on the team had pointed that out to me. My baby is 100% wonderful and doing well.

I would talk to a rheumatologist in regards to your situation. That type of dr. would be the one regulating your meds during pregnancy. I have to say my high-risk dr. pretty much only took care of baby issues, but she was recommended by my rheumy-as they communicate about their like patients. I was kept a close eye on as well throughout the entire pregnancy.


I know that there is risk involved, but many times when you do get pregnanct with Lupus you have a really good chance of the disease either going into a remission or not giving you many problems. You also have a chance of it being worse. Discuss with your dr. treatment for a flare before you get pregnant. My treatment was prednisone-which is safe to take during pregnancy.

I am now 3 weeks post-partum, and have no signs of a flare. I did start taking Cellcept 5 days after delivery though and I'm still on prednisone for the time being.

Good luck and I hope you get the answers that you need.