Handle Lupus During Pregnancy
An expectant mother with lupus constitutes a high-risk pregnancy. The term means certain problems are likely to arise, and the obstetrician will monitor for and resolve them. With proper care, the pregnancy results in a live, normal baby about 75 percent of the time. Following a few basic steps can help ensure a healthy child.
Instructions
1. Find an obstetrician with a specialty in high-risk pregnancy. Adhere to all scheduled visits. Bring any concerns to the attention of the medical staff. Preventative care and quick action are necessary to address lupus-associated problems.
2. Monitor for hypertension. About one in five pregnant women with lupus develop hypertension, also called preclampsia or toxemia. The symptoms include high blood pressure, protein in the urine, decreased urination, swelling, headache and blurred vision.
3. Check for lupus flare. Exacerbations are characterized by arthritis and extreme tiredness. The obstetrician may prescribe a medication safe for use in pregnant women. These are few in number and include prednisone, prednisolone and methylprednisolone.
4. Test for three specific antibodies in the blood. These include lupus anticoagulant, antiphospholipid antibodies and anti-cardiolipin antibodies. About 40 percent of women with lupus carry them. They can result in blood clots in the placenta and miscarriage. Treatment with blood thinning medication usually controls the problem.
5. Watch for premature labor. Signs include backache, pelvic pressure, blood or clear fluid leaking from the vagina, abdominal cramps and contractions occurring every 10 minutes. About half of pregnant women with lupus deliver before 40 weeks.
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