"Medical Problems During Pregnancy Doesn't Mean a Bad Pregnancy"

I know it's "normal" for OB's to classify you as high risk if you have any medical issue. Today I want to talk about some different medical conditions what causes it and from different medical doctors stand points how to treat it.

Pregnancy and Reproduction in Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases:

This one I hear about alot. Here's a brief introduction on what it is:
During pregnancy, profound changes of the hormonal milieu take place. The increase of free steroid hormones including glucocorticoids, progesterones and oestrogens, induces changes in functions of immunocompetent cells such as B cells, T cells and monocytes.^[1] As a consequence, clinical symptoms of immune-mediated rheumatic diseases are modified related to the prevailing pathophysiological disease process; some improve, while others remain relatively unchanged or worsen during pregnancy.

Reference: Medscape News Today

You can read more on this subject here.



Management of Cardiac Disease in Pregnancy


Here's a brief description of what this disease is and what effects it has on body during pregnancy:
Pregnancy makes a significant demand on the cardiovascular system. Therefore, it follows that women with cardiovascular compromise due to cardiac disease need specialist input and careful management pre-, peri-, and post-partum. In the latest CEMACH report, cardiac disease was the most common cause of indirect maternal deaths and the most common cause of death overall.^[1] In particular, during 2003-5, there was an increase in deaths due to myocardial infarction, thoracic aortic dissection, and rheumatic mitral stenosis. The causes of maternal cardiac deaths in 2003-5 are summarized in Table 1.

 Reference:  Medscape News Today
You can read more about this here.



How Should Crohn's Disease Be Managed in Pregnancy

A brief description of Crohn's Disease:
Crohn’s disease is a disease that causes inflammation, or swelling, and irritation of any part of the digestive tract—also called the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The part most commonly affected is the end part of the small intestine, called the ileum.
The GI tract is a series of hollow organs joined in a long, twisting tube from the mouth to the anus. The movement of muscles in the GI tract, along with the release of hormones and enzymes, allows for the digestion of food.

Reference: National Digestive Diseases
Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC)
For more on the description/causes you can find it here


When a woman has Crohn's disease, what special considerations are needed during pregnancy? So here's some information on what you can do to have a great pregnancy. HERE

Thyroid Disease while pregnant:
Here's a brief description of what thyroid disease signs and symptoms:
The signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism vary widely and some of the complaints experienced by individuals with hypothyroidism include:

• fatigue,
• mental fogginess and forgetfulness,
• feeling excessively cold,
• constipation,
• dry skin,
• fluid retention,
• non specific aches and stiffness in muscles and joints,
• excessive or prolonged menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia), and
• depression.

Hyperthyroidism is suggested by a number of signs and symptoms. People with mild hyperthyroidism or those older than 70 years of age usually experience no symptoms. In general, the symptoms become more obvious as the condition worsens. Common symptoms of hyperthyroidism include:

• excessive sweating,
• heat intolerance,
• increased bowel movements,
• tremor (usually a fine shake),
• nervousness; agitation,
• rapid heart rate,
• weight loss,
• fatigue,
• decreased concentration, and
• irregular and scant menstrual flow.

Reference: MedicineNet.com you can read more on that here

Here's what a medical doctor recommends your TSH levels be:

The new recommendations for TSH levels during pregnancy are the following:

• First trimester: less than 2.5 with a range of 0.1-2.5
• Second trimester: 0.2-3.0
• Third trimester: 0.3-3.0.

You can read more about that here.

So as we see as long as we take care of our bodies while were pregnant we can have a great pregnancy! I believe all pregnancies are blessings and as long as a woman is in tune with her body and is taking care of herself all will be well.  I just talked about a few for today.  Being pregnant with a disease or disorder doesn't have to be a drag. Find the help you need, get second opinions, make informed decisions, and stay educated on the disease/disorder.  You only get to experience being pregnant with that child(ren) once so make it a memorable one.  I hope this helps someone and encourages you to have a great pregnancy!