$Unique_ID{BRK01468}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{The Effects of Pregnancy in Multiple Sclerosis Cases}
$Subject{multiple sclerosis pregnancy central nervous system ms autoimmune
immune system pregnant pregnancies disseminated systems immunity childbearing
child bear bearing children}
$Volume{K-1, F-1, U-1}
$Log{
Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis*0008201.scf}

Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


The Effects of Pregnancy in Multiple Sclerosis Cases


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QUESTION:  I have a relatively mild case of multiple sclerosis.  As with most
people it comes and goes, and I have been relatively symptom free for a while
now.  My husband and I have wanted to have a child for sometime now, and as
the years pass, we grow more and more envious of friends who have families.
Do you have any information on the effects of pregnancy in cases like mine?
Thank you for all your help.

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ANSWER:  Since your question seemed so important and sincere, I put on my
research hat and came up with some very interesting information.  Though the
subject of pregnancy in women with multiple sclerosis (MS) has been one in
which there has been some controversy over the years, you might get mixed
reviews if you consulted your physician.  But recent research seems to
indicate that pregnancy has no lasting effect on the course of the disease.
The fact is that there may even be a period of remission during the time of
pregnancy.  Since MS is thought to be an autoimmune disease in which the
immune system of the body seems to battle itself, the protective factor during
pregnancy may be that there are changes in the system which allow the mother
to carry the baby.  Since the baby carries genes from both parents, its
genetic material differs substantially from the mother, and so the action of
the immune system may slow down during this period.  There seems to be an
increase in the exacerbations of the disease in the 6 to 9 months following
pregnancy, but in the long run, the course and severity of MS seems unchanged.
But while there are no apparent medical reasons in the way of your desire for
a child, there are a few considerations to be reviewed.  It takes a great deal
of energy to deal with the newcomer, and so you had better evaluate your own
reserves, and pace yourself carefully.  Close supervision during the
pregnancy and after is a must, and some drugs used to treat MS are best not
used during pregnancy to avoid birth defects.  In the final analysis, though,
the decision is up to you and your husband.  Should you desire more
information on this subject, you might address your requests to the
Information Resource Center, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 205 East
42nd Street, New York, NY 10017.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.