Pregnancy with MS - Multiple Sclerosis Message Board

MSHekele · 01-04-2007, 12:10 PM

Hi everyone,

I have had MS for 3 years and Im 31. I was having bleeding and pelvic pain last week and I went to OB and found out I might be preggo. OB called yesterday said there was blood adn crystals in urine so I went to ER last night and no baby for me but a big fat cyst on my ovarie. This would be my first child. I was actually going to start Tysabri and had it all set up with my neuro but then I changed my mind because its a catagory c drug and they dont know what affects it has on pregnancy. Im currently not on any MS treatment. My question is this. How many of you have become pregnant with MS. I know its an autoimmune and neurological disorder, but Im wondering if its going to hinder my ability to concieve. Also if I do get preggo what happens if I have a flair. Usually I do steriod treatments. I have also heard that when you are pregnant it lessens your chances of having a flair. I usually get ON and I would hate to loose my eyesight permanetly. DH and I really want to have a baby. We have been married for 8 years and he is always so supportive of my MS and just a wonderful man.
Am I just silly for thinking of trying to have a baby? I have so many mixed feelings. Like what if I became more disabled I know DH would take care of the baby but I dont think it would be fair to put majority of responsibility on him. Then I worry that if we did nto try because of the MS what if I goto in remission and I feel fine and then by that time its to late to have a baby and I did not try out of fear. I just dont want MS to run my life but I feel like I have to try to look at it from all angles. Please help give any advice.
Thanks for listening and your help.
Heather

MSHekele · 01-06-2007, 03:59 PM

Wow

So no one with MS has had any children?
Things are looking very bleek.

Heather

fairynuf · 01-07-2007, 03:39 AM

hi, i had my third child after dx. I didn't have trouble concieving (sp?) i was actually on the pill and not trying for another!! eek! The pregnancy its self went fine, apart from being in hospital a few times due to bleeding but i had this also with my other two. I had no symptoms at all whilst pregnant and its the best i have felt in a long time!! I understand some people can have a relapse after giving birth. I did when my little boy was 5 mths old, but this (apparently) was due to the stress of going back to work.

If you do decide to try for a baby...have fun!...and all the best.

P.s I wasn't on any ms meds as i have not got bad enough for them yet...or so my neuro says.

NathanMc · 01-07-2007, 07:33 PM

What follows is internet advice from a regular patient. In all cases you should consult your neuro / doctor.

Quote:

I was actually going to start Tysabri and had it all set up with my neuro but then I changed my mind because its a catagory c drug and they dont know what affects it has on pregnancy.

This is true with most MS medications - they are not recommended for people conceiving or pregnant as they are often fresh out of clinical trials, and the effects are unknown.

As you can imagine, it is extremely difficult to find the effects of drugs on pregnancy as clniical trials on unborn children is just not ethical or moral

Quote:

Im currently not on any MS treatment. My question is this. How many of you have become pregnant with MS. I know its an autoimmune and neurological disorder, but Im wondering if its going to hinder my ability to concieve.

I've not seen anything about infertility in reading up on MS.

Quote:

Also if I do get preggo what happens if I have a flair. Usually I do steriod treatments. I have also heard that when you are pregnant it lessens your chances of having a flair. I usually get ON and I would hate to loose my eyesight permanetly. DH and I really want to have a baby. We have been married for 8 years and he is always so supportive of my MS and just a wonderful man.

Am I just silly for thinking of trying to have a baby? I have so many mixed feelings. Like what if I became more disabled I know DH would take care of the baby but I dont think it would be fair to put majority of responsibility on him. Then I worry that if we did nto try because of the MS what if I goto in remission and I feel fine and then by that time its to late to have a baby and I did not try out of fear. I just dont want MS to run my life but I feel like I have to try to look at it from all angles. Please help give any advice.
Thanks for listening and your help.

MS is entirely benign to your baby - although treatment that you are undergoing may not be.

Also, MS is known to almost universally fall into a complete and total remission while pregnant. Why this is the case is unknown, but almost all women who become preganant note a decrease in symtom severity and relapses while preganant are almost non-existent

Talk to your neuro about it, but from what I've read there is generally nothing to be worried about regarding MS and conception / pregnancy. There's the increased likelihood of your child developing MS, but that's a seperate matter and is quite a low chance in any case.