I’m 23 years old. I already have a son who’s going to be 8. Although I don’t want children now I eventually would like to have another one. Doing research online regarding lupus and pregnancy hasn’t helped. Everything is so conflicting. So Im wondering if anyone has been diagnosed and then got pregnant? Was it hard to get pregnant? We’re there many complications throughout the pregnancy? How was the labor? Any information you guys have on this subject I’ll gladly take it!
I can only speak in regards to myself on this matter, because everyone is different… I am 35 years old and I’ve had SLE since age 17, and I’ve been in remission post chemo and kidney disease since I was 19… At 21 I became pregnant with my first child, and had my second a couple years after him… We did not know how my lupus would react to my pregnancies, so my doctors were understandably extra cautious, as was I. My pregnancies themselves were uncomplicated, but I ended up with 2 c-sections because I was induced early, mainly because my doctors had recommended it and my body was not prepared enough to be able to give birth… The concern also was whether I would flare severely post-nataly… Well, I did not, but I did feel as though the c-sections made it more difficult for me, at a time when I didn’t need it to be… I went on to have 2 more children several years later, and although the doctors attempted to force me to undergo more c-sections with each one, I opted not to heed their advice and had my last two babies at home under the care of a midwife, and my recovery time was so much better and faster, and I never had any flares of my lupus… Good luck to you!
Hi Haitianbarbie;
You will find that every single person had varied experiences. I had 2 children while I had lupus. First one, lots of nausea 24/7, but others I know feel BETTER when pregnant, so they get pregnant often. My first labor was less than 6 hours and I didn't even push. Second baby, I went into labor at 4 months due to the death of my most beloved Aunt dying and other stresses. I don't think it was due to lupus. I stayed in the hospital while they tried to stop the labor for 3 months, then on the day I was 7 months along, I delivered. I have been told there are 2 complications with lupus pregnancies. The baby can have a hole in their heart (my first daughter found that she had one when she was 20) or premature babies, which my second one was, but maybe not due to lupus. I hope others post here so you can see that every person's experience is different, so you can't really predict what yours will be. Just try to time it so you won't be pregnant through the summer. That's torture if you have lupus.
best wishes, Sheila
Thx everyone! Hope there is more coming soon. Im hoping when the chance comes I’ll be able too. I’ve been having problems since my last pregnancy. Sorry for anyone if this is tmi but maybe someone will be able to help me. After having my son I went on the depo shot. I was on it for 7 yrs. I stopped last June. I still have yet to have period. So I’m not sure if it’s not coming back due to the lupus or the fact that I was on the shot so long. I hope that I will one say again be able to have children.
Every one is different. For me it was hard trying to get pregnant. Me and my husband triied for about a year, then in 2007 it finally happened. I was so happy about it because I was told that I wouldnt get to have any more kids. Anyway I started having contractions at 4 months they would come and go. I ended up having her early she came out 2 pds 10oz. I call her my miracle baby. If u see her now u would never think she was a premature baby. I had to get ultrasounds once a week. Dr appt. every two weeks. but u know what I would not change anything. Far as the lupus is concerned I had no problems at all. Big hugs to you...
Hi, i've had years of experience concerning different things with Lupus and never new till 5yrs ago and that i'd inherited it....I've got Lupus SLE/DLE with A1 Diseases overlapping autoimmune diseases.
I'm now 43 but when i reached 34 i'd never became pregnant and when i met my hubby i had to be sterilized although becoming pregnant never happened but i had to be sterilized due to having bad epilepsey and i've found out since that Lupus could have done this.
Lupus can stop women getting pregnant, besides suffer miscarriages and alot of women also have children...it's down to how bad the lupus is actually in your system.
I do hope it works out for you if you decide for another child. x
Thanks Dementra,
You just gave me hope with this illness and I am eternally thankful.
Dementra said:
I can only speak in regards to myself on this matter, because everyone is different... I am 35 years old and I've had SLE since age 17, and I've been in remission post chemo and kidney disease since I was 19... At 21 I became pregnant with my first child, and had my second a couple years after him... We did not know how my lupus would react to my pregnancies, so my doctors were understandably extra cautious, as was I. My pregnancies themselves were uncomplicated, but I ended up with 2 c-sections because I was induced early, mainly because my doctors had recommended it and my body was not prepared enough to be able to give birth... The concern also was whether I would flare severely post-nataly... Well, I did not, but I did feel as though the c-sections made it more difficult for me, at a time when I didn't need it to be... I went on to have 2 more children several years later, and although the doctors attempted to force me to undergo more c-sections with each one, I opted not to heed their advice and had my last two babies at home under the care of a midwife, and my recovery time was so much better and faster, and I never had any flares of my lupus... Good luck to you!
Hi there haitianbarbie88, I had alot of problems only because i wasnt diagnosed with Antiphospholipid Syndrome, so i had already had 13 miscarriages before i was diagnosed, so i didnt know the reason why i was miscarrying, this doctor i had wasnt particularly interested in the reason why, she just said sometimes these things happen, and i kept saying not that many times. And she said oh yes, some people can be unlucky, if it happens one more time, then we will look into it, i was really scared. Anyway i moved and thats when my new doctor did some blood tests and found out i had the Lupus and the antiphospholipid Syndrome which is the clotting problems. Do you have APLS at all? I am sure if you dont have that, you shouldnt have too many problems. Even so though, when i wanted to try for a baby, i got pregnant the once and sadly lost my baby at 19 weeks it was just something to do with me, i saw a doctor for special care for babies. I had to do these Heparin injections every day. Anyway i think that she didnt give me the injections quick enough, i may be wrong. But honestly i have friends who have Lupus who have had successful pregnancies who have all had really good pregnancies. One of my friends had major kidney problems and she has gone on to have a beautiful healthy baby girl, so i am so happy for her. Sadly now as i have had tons of chemotherapy i have gone through the change of life, i wont be able to have children now, but thats okay. I have been helping to bring up a little girl since she was a baby, she is a friend of my husbands daughter, she is now ten years old. So i have really enjoyed that. Sometimes things just arent meant to be. Anyway i am sure that you will be fine, as i have known so many women with Lupus to have healthy babies. There is one other thing that babies can be born with called Neo-natal Lupus, and some can need to be fitted with a temporary pace maker that can be removed after a little while after the birth. I remember all this because when i was pregnant that time i researched it all, you may already know all this yourself. Also some Lupus babies are a little smaller than others, they grow at a smaller rater, but are still just as healthy. I was warned though that if i did end up having a flare that i might end up in hospital for the last three months of my pregnancy, but thats because i am a really complex case. I dont know fully how badly your Lupus affects you, so really its best to talk to your physician to know the facts about this. My friend who had the little girl, she spent two weeks before the birth in hospital because of her kidneys, so its worth being aware of these things, especially as you already have a little one at home. Anyway i really wish you luck, do ask your doctor, i am sure they he/she or even your Rheumy can get you loads more info about all this, take care, look after yourself, bye for now, love and hugs Astrid40xoxo
I was thankful to have the best Rheumy in the world when I wanted to get pregnant. He said we might have trouble getting pregnant, but mainly when I got pregnant we would have to be aware AFTER delivery. The placenta produces cortisol which reduces inflammation in the body. But often a week after delivery, the cortisol level drops and this has the potential to cause a flare. Being aware of this, I went to Dr Wallace about a week after I delivered my babies. The first time it worked great, but after my second child I had a season of flare, but nothing too severe.
I think you’ll find that just as with people who don’t have lupus, everyone will have a different story.
Best of luck to you. Don’t give up.
Thank you all for your replies! I’ve heard good and bad but mostly good. Its nice to hear true stories rather than just using research online. Im trusting in god that when the time comes for another little one he will make it happen. 
thx again all of you!!!