The onset of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) generally occurs between the ages of 20 and 50. It is in this timeframe of life that most women consider having a family. Women are also more likely to be diagnosed with MS, so it is understandable that there are a lot of questions that women have about MS and pregnancy.
The History of MS and Pregnancy
Women with MS used to be discouraged from starting a family. At this time, very little was known about MS, and while it is still considered an elusive disease, there are some things that researchers, physicians and scientists now know about MS that has changed the recommendation for women suffering from MS that want to start a family.
Before, it was unclear as to whether or not a pregnancy would worsen MS or cause flare ups. Today, it is known that pregnancy, in most cases, does just the opposite for women. Many women with MS who become pregnant go their entire pregnancy attack free. Some even see an improvement in their condition during the pregnancy.
It is thought that pregnancy affects the body in a positive way because of additional proteins and hormones that are produced by pregnancy – some of those proteins and hormones may be depleted by MS, but pregnancy restores them temporarily. Granted, the relief is only short-lived but this knowledge has allowed many women to start a family, despite their disease.
Careful Consideration Needed
Every couple should think carefully before having a child. Considerations about the condition of the planet and economy should be made. Couples should also consider the long-term care needed when starting a family – education, food, shelter, clothing and whether or not the parents will be able to sustain parenting and quality of life for the next 18 years.
For MS patients, these considerations become even more important. Because MS can take a turn for the worse at any given moment, women with MS must consider the possibility that they may not be able to fully raise their children because of death (rare, but a possibility with MS) or because of disability. Fatigue is also a symptom of MS, which could make raising a child much harder, especially in the early years.
Tips for Deciding
Being a mother is a joy – one that many women, including MS sufferers – want to experience. This is normal and a part of who you are, but part of being a parent is making choices that are in the best interest for the future of your child – this responsibility extends to the planning phase of pregnancy as well. If you feel a strong urge to be a parent but are having a hard time deciding if it is the right decision, consider a few of these things:
- What is your current MS stage?
- What prognosis have you been given?
- What is your current disability level?
- Is your disease progressive and if so, to what extent?
- Do you have someone that would love and care for your child, should your condition take a turn for the worse?
While no one can really give you the right answer, these questions can help you reflect on some really important points that you need to consider.
MS Treatment and Pregnancy
If you do decide that pregnancy is a safe and viable option for you at this time, there are some things that you should be aware of; one of which is how your MS treatment may be affected by pregnancy. Soon-to-be mothers that suffer from MS cannot continue most types of treatments because of the health risks on the fetus. The only exception is steroid use for acute MS exacerbations. During post-partum, however, even steroids may be dangerous if the mother wishes to breastfeed.
Labor, Delivery and Postpartum and MS
In most cases, labor and delivery are no different for MS sufferers than for any other woman. Giving birth comes with its own set of health risks, as does the anesthesia that some women choose during labor, but MS does not seem to be affected negatively by either. On the other side, however, women with MS may feel fatigue sooner than other women during the labor and delivery process, so your obstetrician may have special tools ready, just in case you need some help with pushing the baby out.
During postpartum, exacerbation rates are higher during the first three to six months. Relapse within this time frame occur within about 20-40% of women with MS. Despite the potential of relapse, however, no long-term disabilities have been noted in other women that have delivered and suffered from a postpartum attack.
Long-Term Effects of Pregnancy on MS
While some women can expect to see an attack shortly after pregnancy, there has been no evidence to support that pregnancy has any long-term effects on MS. This applies to both negative and positive effects. As long as you talk with your doctor and your neurologist, like most women with MS, you should be able to conceive, carry and birth a child safely.
