What Autoimmune Disorders Affect Women During Pregnancy?

Pregnancy is one of the happiest phases in a woman’s life. However, it is also fraught with complications and physical ailments and worries that a woman has to handle with courage and help from doctors. Some women face various autoimmune disorders which can make the nine months a little difficult. The antibodies that are produced by the autoimmune disorders often create complications in pregnancy and cross over to the baby through the placenta.

Antiphospholipid Syndrome

Antiphospholipid syndrome is a type of autoimmune disease in which blood clots are formed excessively and sometimes really fast. Women suffering from this problem have often faced miscarriages, unexplained stillbirths and blood clotting problems. Usually a test is advised bythe doctor to diagnose if you have this autoimmune disease. If you are suffering from this you may face a miscarriage, high blood pressure, preeclampsia, stillbirth or the fetus may not grow properly in the nine months. If the problem is diagnosed at the right time then it will be possible to treat the condition.

Immune Thrombocytopenia

Immune Thrombocytopenia is another auto immune condition where the platelet count decreases. This decrease makes it difficult for the blood to clot easily.This condition must be treated during pregnancy because if left untreated it tends to become severe. Depending on the condition of the patients platelet transfusions may also be given if the chances of blood loss is severe. Doctors must check the blood conditions in pregnancy to diagnose the conditions and its severity.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is another such disease which is often present before or even after pregnancy. Prior to delivery the condition usually improves a bit but following the delivery it returns back to the previous condition. This kind of arthritis damages the hip joint which makes delivery difficult. Alternatively, if the pain increases during pregnancy then various kinds of drugs may be used to reduce the pain.

Lupus

Lupus is another type of autoimmune diseases which tends to improve during pregnancy. But it cannot be predicted for all pregnancies. Usually, the condition tends to become worse after a delivery. Women with lupus face many miscarriages, preterm delivery and sometimes the fetus does not develop properly also. The condition has to be contained with the help of drugs and pregnancy should be induced ideally after six months or so. The lupus antibodies often cross the placenta and enter the growing fetus. This often results in the child with a low white blood cell count or platelet count.

Conclusion

All these blood and autoimmune disorders can be diagnosed with the blood tests at the right time. Checking blood conditions during pregnancyis the right thing to do so that both the mother and child remain safe. Some of these might affect the pregnancy while others have no severe take on it at all. Regular intake of medicines and care is necessary for keeping the conditions in control and ensuring that the pregnancy goes on smoothly. Even postpartum care and consultation with the doctor is necessary.