Pregnancy, Breastfeeding and Arthritis

There are many health benefits to breastfeeding your baby. Moms with Arthritis may face special challenges while breastfeeding their baby. You can help assist these moms by giving them words of encouragement, helping them find good ways to hold their baby etc.Some women have Arthritis before they conceive or breastfeed. What are the types of Arthritis? Osteoarthritis is the most common forms. It usually puts wear and tear on your joints. Usually, it occurs where you have injured a joint or in the elderly. Inflammatory Arthritis covers over 120 different diseases. Not only does this disease affect the joints, it also affects other body parts.Some types of Arthritis include Rheumatoid Arthritis, RA Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, SLE or Lupus, Systemic Sclerosis. They can range from mild to severe. RA is an autoimmune disease, a condition that causes pain and swelling in the joints. It can affect the hand, feet or wrists, as well as other parts of the body, can also be affected. Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain syndrome sometimes also called arthritis of the muscles. More than half of pregnancies in the world are unplanned.The American Academy of Rheumatology, ACR, recommends that a woman's Arthritis be controlled six months before conceiving. Some women with Arthritis often feel better during pregnancy. However, after delivery often doctors recommend moms to have someone help them because Arthritis may flare up where their shoulders, wrist, and elbows hurt making it hard to position the baby for breastfeeding. This is where I come in as a Lactation Consultant and help them position their baby in a more comfortable way. Evaluating medication a patient is taking is the top priority. Here is a list of drugs harmful during pregnancy and breastfeeding for Arthritis. This list was developed by a group of OB-GYN doctors, Rheumatologists and Internists placed on the ACR website. Drugs that are good while pregnant and breastfeeding are: Anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) drugs Antimalarials Azathioprine (Imuran) (probably OK during breastfeeding but check with your doctor) Corticosteroids Cyclosporine (ask your doctor if OK during breastfeeding) Heparin NSAIDS (avoid after 32 weeks) Sulfasalazine (Azulfidine) These drugs should not be taken during pregnancy or breastfeeding Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan) Methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall) Mycophenolate (Cellcept, Myfortic) Warfarin (OK after first trimester and breastfeeding) The ACR goes further and recommends men should speak to their doctors who are on drugs for RA three months before conceiving because some drugs such as Methotrexate and Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan) can affect sperm cells. There are other important facts about Arthritis.Yeast Infections are sometimes more common cause moms may be more susceptible during her medication use. Furthermore, if she gets cracked nipples, she could develop thrush. Another interesting fact is that many cases of Arthritis are believed to result from the interaction of genetic as well as environmental factors. Women tend to suffer more than men. Raynaud's Phenomenon is another possible symptom of Fibromyalgia. Raynaud's involves constriction of blood vessels in the hands and veins that they blanch or turn blue. It can also turn red as the blood rushes back. Fatigue and sleep deprivation can occur with moms who suffer from Arthritis. In fact, a mom with Arthritis may be at a greater risk of postpartum depression. Antidepressants may have to be used to not only control Arthritis but help with sleep.Consult with your doctor before using any drug while breastfeeding. In conclusion, further research needs to be done with Arthritis, pregnancy, and breastfeeding. Moms with Arthritis need to be given accurate information so that they can make informed decisions on their condition. Helping moms use proper pillows and positioning moms right while breastfeeding will help ease joint pain. Help the mom get her pain under control so she will have a good night sleep and feel rested. Make sure she is taking the right and safe drug while she breastfeeds.Enjoy breastfeeding. It is a beautiful time to bond with one another.