Birth defects after maternal exposure to corticosteroids

You might even want to try an antenatal class, such as hypnobirthing. Antenatal classes will teach you a variety of techniques and skills that’ll help you prepare for labour and the birth. They have been shown to reduce some of the lower back pain that some women experience during the early stages of labour.

For example, you might need an extra scan if you’ve taken certain drugs during the pregnancy that require further monitoring.
Steroids, particularly if taken for a long time, or at high doses, can increase the risk of some pregnancy complications like gestational diabetes.
Corticosteroids are first-line drugs for treating a variety of conditions in women of childbearing age, but information concerning how these drugs affect pregnancy is limited.
But it’s usually advised to only use it as and when you need it, as continuous use may increase the risk of childhood asthma.

This is because the sooner you can get back onto your medication, the lower the risk of having a flare. It can reduce the risk of high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease. You may need a blood test to check for antiphospholipid antibodies, as they can interfere with the body’s ability to regulate blood clotting.

Support after the birth

After having the baby, you should be seen by your rheumatologist. In this appointment, they will ask about your symptoms and discuss medications. If changes to your medications were made during pregnancy, you may need to return to the treatment plan you had before becoming pregnant. All women in pregnancy are assessed for their risk of blood clots (also called deep vein thrombosis [DVT] or pulmonary embolism [PE]).

You should discuss with your doctor whether to have some sperm stored or given medication to protect your ovaries before treatment is started.
This is sometimes picked up as your pregnancy progresses but may not become apparent until after birth.
The medical and neonatal team will be able to discuss this with you.
If you have these antibodies there’s a small chance that they could affect your baby.
If you choose to breastfeed, your doctors will make sure you’re on drugs that won’t affect your baby.

But make sure you tell the instructor that you have arthritis. But you shouldn’t worry about this, as in the vast majority of cases the chances of passing it on to your children are low. Anticonvulsants are medicines used to prevent seizures (fits).

Rheumatology nurse specialist

The study aims to continue collecting data until 2028, to create a rich database to better-inform conclusions on the long-term safety of the biologic treatments. In early 2018, I spoke with my rheumatology consultant about my plan to start a family. My lupus was under control and the medications I had been taking since my diagnosis (azathioprine and hydroxychloroquine) were safe to take during pregnancy.

Corticosteroids are mainly used to reduce inflammation and suppress the immune system. Based on limited research, men should be OK to try for a baby on all anti-TNFs. Cyclophosphamide is only considered during pregnancy if your condition becomes life threatening.

Who can use corticosteroids?

But your arthritis could make your birth a slightly higher risk than others, so it’s important to discuss your chosen location with your maternity team. They’ll be able to address any worries or concerns and can help you create a birth plan. If you have lupus or Sjögren’s syndrome, you’ll have a blood test to check for the presence of anti-Ro antibodies. If you have these antibodies there’s a small chance that they could affect your baby.

Should I take drugs during pregnancy?

So, you shouldn’t just stop taking prescribed drugs without talking to your doctor first. If you’re already on a pregnancy friendly drug, you won’t have to worry buy injectable steroids about coming off it or switching medications when you decide to start trying for a baby. Anticoagulant medicines are medications that make the blood less sticky.

Codeine should be fine to take throughout the pregnancy, but caution is advised when breastfeeding as it could affect the baby. But it’s usually advised to only use it as and when you need it, as continuous use may increase the risk of childhood asthma. Summary table of pregnancy safety for steroids, DMARDs, anti-TNFs and other biologics (PDF, 640 KB). If you’ve come off any medications before the pregnancy, such as methotrexate, your doctors will usually recommend going straight back onto them once you’ve finished breastfeeding.