Pregnancy and MS
"When I was first diagnosed, my husband and I were trying to start a family. I was terrified that having MS would stop me having a baby. My GP reassured me that MS has no effect on fertility or pregnancy. Two years later we have a beautiful baby girl."
Twice as many women as men have MS. Most women are diagnosed in their twenties and thirties, at exactly the time when they may be thinking about starting a family.
One of the most frequently asked questions when people are first diagnosed is "Can I still have children?". In the past doctors would advise women with MS against starting a family, but developments in research and a better understanding of the condition has seen a change in attitude. The current view is that pregnancy makes no difference to the overall course of MS.
Having MS has no effect on pregnancy, labour or giving birth. There is no evidence of any increased risk of ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage, birth defects or still-birth. Mothers with MS are just as likely as other mothers to have healthy pregnancies and healthy babies.
Many women find that during pregnancy they have never felt better and suffer fewer relapses. However, you should understand that there is an increased risk of a relapse in the months immediately following giving birth.
Can I pass MS on to my children?
MS is not inherited in the same way as some other conditions. Children with a parent who has MS do have a very small increase in the risk of getting MS, but this generally means that only 2 out of 100 are likely to get MS because their parents have the condition.
Visit the main MS Society site for more information.
Will I be able to breastfeed?
Although there is no evidence that breastfeeding is related to the increased postnatal relapse rate, some new mothers with MS find that it does increase their levels of fatigue. You can talk to your midwife about whether breastfeeding or bottle-feeding your baby is more suitable for you.
Look after yourself
It is very important that as a new mother you take extra care of yourself during the first few months after the birth, as this is when you are most likely to have a relapse. Eating well, establishing daily routines and getting plenty of rest, as well as relying on friends and family for support are all essential.
The good news is that although it does mean careful planning with your family and doctor, having MS is no reason not to have a baby. If only everything else about planning a family were that easy!