The Big Three Questions About Pregnancy

Some of you may wonder how my arthritis will affect our potential offspring.  We did too!  For us, there were three main issues we wanted to iron out before we decided to have kids.

1.       Are our children genetically more likely to have any of my issues?

No!  Thank goodness.  There is a genetic component to arthritis and then it is triggered by some environmental event (usually a virus).  However, quite a few people have the gene but never get arthritis (like most of my family except one cousin).  So many people have the gene that my kids chances are the same as any random person, because they could also have the gene.  Also, my kids might not get the gene for sure.  So, we feel confident that it will be fine.  My kids will likely get the Inverso nose, but arthritis is unlikely. 

2.       Is a pregnancy with my health issues/medications going to result in a baby with any problems?

Not if we do it right!  I am considered “high risk.”  The main reason is because some of my tests (occasionally positive ANA and SSA) mean I could be more at risk for pre eclampsia.  Most women have about an 8% chance of pre eclampsia.  Mine is more like 30-40%.  By taking aspirin during my pregnancy I am able to reduce this risk down to the 8% range.  For the record, not all cases of pre eclamspia are run to the hospital events.  Most just require monitoring or some blood pressure medication (most are safe during pregnancy).  However a few are really serious and require the baby to be born immediately (the only real cure to pre eclampsia) which can lead to a baby being born before it is viable.  However, staying pregnant could mean death for me.  My doctor has said in no uncertain terms that I am her patient and that if I got bad pre eclamspia, then we would need to deliver if we can’t control it.  As terrifying as that inevitability is, we agree. 

The other big risk is that my health would get so bad that I might have a baby with growth problems.  This is just something we watch for and take action if necessary.  If I am feeling really terrible or my blood tests show super high inflammation, then I will start prednisone.  It is safe for the baby and will keep my immune system in check so my body can focus on growing a baby!

3.       Is pregnancy going to have a long-term negative effect on my health?

No.  Well, a qualified no.  Pregnancy has risks and those are just as present for me.  However, in terms of my arthritis, there shouldn’t be.  Arthritis can permanently damage my joints, but since I will be staying on my main disease management drug and I can take prednisone if needed, I won’t get any damage no matter how bad the pregnancy is.  I will likely get a bad flare sometime after pregnancy, and pregnancy itself may be hard (it may be great!), but then I will return to the same state as now.

So, although pregnancy might mean temporary ickiness for me (potentially more than your average woman), there is nothing different for the baby or me in the long term.  That doesn’t make it any less scary for Charles and me for the time being.  However, we both really want to have biological children if we can, which makes this worth a try!