Arthritis

Will my arthritis symptoms improve during pregnancy?

Some women that suffer from arthritis may get a break during pregnancy. Studies show that almost 75% of all women that suffer from rheumatory arthritis will have improvement in joint pain and swelling. However, not all women will be so lucky. Because of the added weight from the growing baby, the hips, knees, ankles and feet may become more tender during pregnancy. If arthritis has affected the ribs or lungs, a woman may be unusally uncomfortable as the baby grows because breathing becomes harder. Delivery may also be hard if the hips have been affected and a cesaren may be needed for a safe delivery. It is common for a pregnant woman's spine to curve some during pregnancy as the uterus grows. This curvature could be particularly painful in women that suffer from arthritis.

Women with arthritis will usually begin to feel the symptoms of arthritis again after the baby is born, when caring for a baby is physically demanding. To determine if you are able to properly care for a newborn, you should ask yourself a series of questions based on your physical abilities. A baby demands physical work and there will likely be times that you will be alone with the baby.

Can you hold a 10 pound bag of sugar for a certain of length of time? Try holding it still for 10 minutes and then walking around the house for 10 minutes.
Do you have to take a nap during the day to regain energy and strength?
Are you able to take the lid off of a bottle and tighten it back on?
Are you able to lift the 10 pound bag of sugar from the floor or from your bed?
When you carry the 10 pound bag of sugar, does it make your body sore or tired?

Your doctor can help you find a healthy way of limiting the pain during pregnancy. Take all medications to your healthcare provider and see if they are safe to take while pregnant. Stretching exercises and controlled weight gain can also help for arthritis discomfort.

Comments: Arthritis

Comments 1 to 7 of about 7.

KrissyMac14 - 34 days ago.
I have had JRA since I was 8 years old.... Had one hip replaced at 16 years old and one at 17 years old.... I am 26 now and this is my third baby due December 10th!!!!! The only effect the replacement had on me is I have to have elective c-sections with everyone of my babies just so i dont pop my hips out of place or atleast thats what I have gathered from what the doctors say.... No other problems with pregnancy due to arthritis.... All of them pretty routine.....

jen33469 - 59 days ago.
hey yall I have psoriatic arthritis, anyone else have this? I tend to break out with psoriais when pregnant and my arthritis goes away, Im 11 weeks now and have not broken out yet and my arthritis has been easier to manage...yeah!!!!!

jen33469 - 59 days ago.
hey yall I have psoriatic arthritis, anyone else have this? I tend to break out with psoriais when pregnant and my arthritis goes away, Im 11 weeks now and my skin has not broken out yet and my arthritis seems to have gotten better, thank god....!!

hayleyc - 59 days ago.
any pregnant ladies out there who auffer from arthritis? or am i the only one?

charlotte80 - 340 days ago.
Hi I have a 10mth old, I have had RA for 5yrs and I'm on methatrexate injections. I'm currently finding it very difficult to get my daughter in/out of her car seat! My hands have nearly given up on me. I am finding it very hard to pull the straps hold them together and push them in the clasp. Can anyone advise me of a good car seat that is easy to use? My hands are very sore and in the mornings don't work very well?

lizzie287 - 357 days ago.
Faye, that's a great idea! I was diagnosed with RA when I was 16 but have had symptoms since I was at least 12. Right now I'm breastfeeding and therefore off my medication and starting to flare. I'm definitely not ready to wean my daughter, I love breastfeeding and really would like to let HER dictate when she wants to stop, symptom permitting of course. Maybe I'll try getting in to see an acupuncturist!

FayeWP - 357 days ago.
Hi! I have had RA since I was 19. I am now 30 and pregnant with my first baby (7w6d today). I was on methatrexate which helped control my RA but had to come off it 6 months before we started trying for a baby. It took us a year to conceive which meant that my RA got a lot worse during that time as I wasn't taking any medication. I started going to an acupuncturist about 4 months ago - not just for my RA but also to help us to conceive. It is the BEST thing I have ever done. I really can't recommend it highly enough. The pain from my RA has pretty much dissapeared and I'm pregnant!!! If you're in the UK there is an online site listing all the qualified practitioners of acupuncture (http://www.acupuncture.org.uk/). I really urge you to try - it has changed my life!