Skip to contentchild‑bearing years. While SLE rarely lowers fertility, the immune shifts of
pregnancy can trigger flares. That’s why a seamless partnership between
rheumatology and obstetrics—and a hospital equipped for premature birth care—
is essential for protecting both mother and baby.
Your Best Window to Conceive
Experts agree: aim to conceive only after six steady months of disease quiescence. Before tossing
the birth‑control pills, sit down with your rheumatologist to fine‑tune meds—some drugs impede
conception, while switching to safer options (and observing response times) demands a tailored plan.
Will Pregnancy Intensify My Lupus?
Roughly 30 % of women see a flare—usually mild—but vigilance is key. Alongside frequent labs, keep a home
log of blood pressure and weight. Report readings over 140/90 mmHg or swift gains of 4–5 kg in a week, plus
red‑flag symptoms like generalized swelling, migraines, nausea, or blurred vision—all early signs of
preeclampsia.
If you have lupus nephritis, high blood pressure or edema warrants even tighter
monitoring because the kidneys raise risks for hypertensive crises and early delivery. Likewise,
a positive antiphospholipid antibody screen links to miscarriage,
growth restriction, and clotting issues.
A Peek Inside the Womb: Neonatal Lupus
Carrying anti‑SSA/Ro or anti‑SSB/La antibodies? There’s a small chance of
neonatal lupus. Most babies show only fleeting skin rashes that fade by six
months, yet 1–3 % may develop serious heart conduction blocks. Starting mid‑pregnancy, schedule regular
fetal echocardiograms to spot issues early.
Medications: Friends, Not Foes
Fear of drugs can tempt you to self‑discontinue. Don’t. Well‑studied options such as
corticosteroids, low‑dose aspirin, and
hydroxychloroquine have decades of pregnancy‑safety data and often outweigh
theoretical risks. Active disease endangers both mother and fetus far more than judicious medication.
Will My Baby Be Healthy?
Yes—most children arrive healthy. Although SLE pregnancies carry higher odds of early delivery and
low birth weight, the incidence of other birth defects is no higher than in the general population.
Proactive care keeps those odds in your favor.