Do you have Ankylosing Spondylitis? Thinking about having a baby? Let's talk about this!

If you are pregnant or thinking about having a baby, you may have a lot of questions on your mind. It's very normal. Should you breastfeed or bottle-feed your baby? Will the birth be difficult? What should the diet be like? Questions like these all come to mind.

But if you have ankylosing spondylitis (AS), your questions may be a little different. "Can I get pregnant?", "Will AS make childbirth difficult?", "What if the disease worsens during pregnancy?", "Will this disease affect my baby?" You may be wondering. So, today, let's talk about how to cope with AS during pregnancy and beyond.

Can you get pregnant with Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS)?

The good news is that AS does not affect your fertility. That means you can get pregnant. However, you will need to plan ahead a little more than someone without AS. Some of the medications you take for AS may need to be stopped a few weeks or months before you get pregnant to prevent birth defects.

One of the best ways to plan for pregnancy is to use birth control. You can use any type of birth control. But usually, devices that are placed inside the uterus, called intrauterine devices (IUDs), are more effective in the long term. These are small T-shaped devices that your doctor inserts into your uterus.

When you're ready to think about having a baby, be sure to tell your doctor. He or she can change your medications if necessary, remove an IUD if you have one, and educate you on how to manage AS symptoms during pregnancy.

Can AS cause complications during pregnancy?

Many studies show that AS is associated with a lower risk of serious complications during pregnancy. Most people with AS have normal pregnancies. As with any pregnancy, miscarriages can occur, but AS does not increase the risk.

However, if your AS symptoms are very severe or you have other medical conditions, you are more likely to develop complications. Also, if you develop high blood pressure during pregnancy, a condition called ``preeclampsia``, complications can occur. This is a dangerous situation for both mother and baby.

In such cases, the table below lists some of the complications that may arise with AS.

Can my AS symptoms worsen during pregnancy?

As your baby grows during pregnancy, your body weight also increases over the course of 9 months. This puts a lot of pressure on your body, especially your joints, muscles, and back. As a result, your AS symptoms, such as back stiffness, swelling, and pain, may increase slightly as you enter your second and third trimesters.

A flare-up can occur at any time during pregnancy. One study found that about 80% of people with AS experience a flare-up during pregnancy. And, almost everyone experiences a worsening of their symptoms in the months after giving birth. But the good news is that these symptoms usually improve over time.

Things to expect during pregnancy

There are several things you need to keep in mind after you become pregnant, as your baby grows, and as you approach delivery.

Medicine and baby's development

Unless there is a risk to your baby's health and development, your doctor may recommend that you continue to use some AS medications to control your symptoms.

This includes a group of painkillers called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin, celecoxib, ibuprofen, and naproxen. These are generally safe to take up to 20 weeks of pregnancy. However, taking them after that can cause kidney and heart problems in the baby. So, it's important to talk to your doctor about what's right for you.

Will AS be passed on to the baby?

Autoimmune conditions like AS can be genetic. That means they can be passed down from generation to generation. If you have the gene called HLA-B27, there is a 50% chance that your children will have it. However, not everyone who has this gene will develop AS. Studies show that only 20% of children with the HLA-B27 gene will develop AS in the future.

AS and childbirth

Many women with AS have normal, healthy pregnancies. However, pregnancy puts extra pressure on your back, hips, and fused spine. This can make vaginal delivery a little more difficult.

Also, inflammation in the spinal cord can make it difficult to get an epidural. An epidural is something that an anesthesiologist gives you during labor. This involves an injection into your spine to numb the lower abdomen. This can help control the pain of labor.

How to take care of a baby after having it?

Taking care of a newborn baby can be very tiring. As someone with AS, there are a few things you need to be especially careful about.

• Breastfeeding: AS does not affect breastfeeding. Many AS medications can be taken while breastfeeding. However, some medications can pass into breast milk in small amounts. If you are planning to breastfeed, talk to your doctor beforehand. He or she will tell you which medications are not safe for your baby.

• Postpartum symptoms: After having a baby, your AS symptoms are more likely to worsen or flare up. This can last for several months. If this happens, see your rheumatologist, a doctor who specializes in joint diseases. He or she will adjust your medication dosage if necessary.

• Caring for your baby: A newborn baby needs 24/7 attention. If you have AS, your symptoms can be exacerbated by joint and back pain, insomnia, and fatigue. You may find it difficult to continue doing things like lifting your baby, bending over to breastfeed, and changing diapers. So, plan to find someone to help you before your baby is born. Ask family and friends for help. If possible, find someone who can help you financially.

At the same time, it's also very important to take care of yourself. Eat nutritious foods, and try to get some sleep when your baby sleeps.

Ankylosing Spondylitis, AS and pregnancy, pregnancy, arthritis, back pain, childbirth, C-section, HLA-B27