Arthritis & Pregnancy

Arthritis can strike at any time, including the childbearing years, for both females and males. Active arthritis is a risk factor for many pregnancy complications, including miscarriage and early labour.

However, it is possible to get pregnant and have a family with arthritis. “A planned pregnancy is the best pregnancy,” said Dr. Neda Amiri, a rheumatologist and clinician investigator at Arthritis Research Canada. Ideally, women with arthritis should have low disease activity, or be in remission, and be on medications considered safe in pregnancy before trying to have a baby.

Fifteen to 20 years ago, the advice was different. There was so little data on arthritis, medication safety and pregnancy that people living with rheumatic disease were advised not to get pregnant. Arthritis Research Canada’s scientists were the first to show that taking biologics during pregnancy, by a woman with arthritis, does not lead to complications like premature babies, low birth weigh, birth defects or infections in moms and infants.

In Episode 15 of the Arthritis Research Education Series, discover how our scientists are finding answers to help women, and their families, navigate pregnancy with arthritis.

If you’ve watched our episode, we’d like to hear from you. Please take a few minutes to complete our short survey below. Surveys completed by December 12 will be entered into a draw to win a $25 Amazon gift card.