Childbirth and Autoimmune Diseases

I am curious to know if anyone has had a baby while having an autoimmune disease? If so, how bad were the effects after your first or second child and would you choose to have another child knowing the effects after it has caused?


(my background- I currently have one child, had her via csection and had a bad recovery due to an unknown autoimmune disease which makes me terrified of having another child being everything that I went through. My daughter will be 3 tomorrow and i feel as though i need to start thinking about whether to have another child or not so they arent too many years apart and this all stresses me out and i need some support. this is such a hard decision)

Re: Childbirth and Autoimmune Diseases

I have lupus, and was actually in remission during my pregnancy. Have you followed up with a rheumatologist?

Re: Childbirth and Autoimmune Diseases

I am so sorry that your disease cannot be identified. That is really scary. If that were me, I would need to have a diagnosis before I had another baby. I would be too nervous if they don't know exactly what was wrong with me.

I developed ITP - basically my body attacks my platelets, which can lead to hemoraging. I developed it during my 1st pregnancy, but it never became serious. Now, with my second, I see 3 Dr's just to monitor my #'s and we have a plan , should the situation get serious. So far, so good and my platelets have been fine. I consider myself very lucky so far.

Re: Childbirth and Autoimmune Diseases

I only have psoriasis but it fits into that category of autoimmune diseases and it was completely gone while I was pregnant and for about 6 weeks after. It has come back now, but is starting on my knees where it was maybe 15 years ago and my elbows (where it was recently) are still clear. I'm sad it's back (and itchy and all again) but it was really nice it went away for almost a year. Sorry I'm not a huge help. It sounds like talking to a specialist might be the way to go. Wishing you the best and hugs

Re: Childbirth and Autoimmune Diseases

I developed Rheumatoid Arthritis symptoms at 6wks pp, and was diagnoised at 5 months pp. We knew we wanted another close to Emmy so we started TTC almost right after the diagnosis. I was on meds that sorta managed the pain/inflammation, but not well. We had decided if we were not pg by this May we would stop TTC and get me the better meds. In March I got pg and we are doing GREAT! My RA is in remission and I am closely monitored by my OB, Rheumy, and Perinatologist. After this baby and at the 1st flare i'll go on Enbrel and poss. MXT. FM if I can help!