More than 90 percent of people with lupus are women, and most are diagnosed during their childbearing years. Naturally, the questions of whether a woman with lupus can sustain a healthy pregnancy and have a healthy baby often come into play. While complications can arise, the good news is that with the right medical care, you can decrease your risks and deliver a normal, healthy baby.
How Does Lupus Affect Pregnancy?
Women with lupus have a greater risk for miscarriage, premature birth, and other complications compared with most women. Here’s an overview of some of the problems that may occur.
Pre-eclampsia
Approximately 20 percent of women with lupus develop this condition, which occurs when you experience a sudden increase in blood pressure, protein in your urine, or both when you’re pregnant. It needs to be treated immediately and may mean that your baby needs to be delivered right away.
Antiphospholipid antibodies
About 33 percent of women with lupus have these proteins, which can cause blood clots in the placenta and can impact your baby’s growth. With the use of medications, such as a small dose of baby aspirin, your doctor can reduce the risk that you will miscarry even if you have these dangerous antibodies.
Neonatal lupus syndrome
Although very rare, some women with lupus have an antibody, called anti-Ro, which puts them at risk for delivering a baby with neonatal lupus syndrome. Neonatal lupus is not lupus. Babies born with this syndrome have a skin rash or low blood cell counts, but these symptoms go away over time. Some infants with neonatal lupus are born with a serious heartbeat abnormality. It’s treatable, but permanent. Some babies with the heart problem will grow normally, while others may need a pacemaker.
