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Lupus Symptoms During Pregnancy

A lupus diagnosis will not necessarily mean your plans for a family are over. A woman should always plan her pregnancy for when she is at her healthiest, so with her doctor's guidance, periods of remission are the best time to get pregnant.

  1. Considerations

    • Lupus can flare up at anytime. In some cases, the mother will need help caring for her family. Support from extended family and friends, along with alternative childcare options should be determined in advance.

    Lupus Complications During Pregnancy

    • About 20 percent of pregnant women with lupus will develop toxemia (pre-eclampsia, or pregnancy-induced hypertension) presenting an increase in blood pressure, protein in the urine, or both. Toxemia, if ignored, can put both the woman and fetus in danger. Doctors should check the baby's growth with harmless sonograms, and check the heart beat, to quickly catch and treat any signs of trouble.

    Lupus Symptoms and Pregnancy

    • Lupus activity decreases during the second trimester of the pregnancy.
      Mild flares can occur after delivery.

    Does Pregnancy Cause Lupus?

    • Some women first show symptoms of lupus during pregnancy. Other women first develop signs of lupus shortly after delivery. According to the Lupus Foundation, these are just two of many unrelated factors that can trigger lupus.

    Health of the Newborn

    • There is a 50 percent chance that the lupus pregnancy will not go full term. Except for issues of premature birth and the slight chance of neonatal lupus, the health of the baby will not be affected by lupus.

    Will the Baby Have Systemic Lupus Erythematosus?

    • Neonatal lupus will show up in newborns of approximately 3 percent of all lupus patients. Neonatal lupus is not Systemic Lupis Erythematosus (SLE), and will usually disappear by the time the baby is six-months-old. Chances are very low that a newborn with neonatal lupus will develop SLE later in life.

    Drugs and Breast Milk

    • Check with your doctor if you are planning on breastfeeding your child, as drugs may be present in breast milk. Drugs, such as prednisone, may hinder milk production. Warfarin (Coumadin), heparin and low doses of prednisone are safe to take while breastfeeding.

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