Lupus & the Pregnant Woman

An Overview of the Impact of Lupus on Pregnancy

Christine Cadena
As a significantly common auto immune disease, affecting women more often than men, lupus can lead to life impacting health complications. For many female sufferers, lupus is often first diagnosed during child bearing years leaving many women to face significant health considerations when considering pregnancy or when already pregnant. For these women, understanding the impact lupus plays on the female body and the methods for controlling symptoms through a natural approach will ensure a more healthy pregnancy and work to alleviate some degree of symptoms associated with lupus.

Lupus, in terms of medical diagnosis, involves an auto immune disease in which a woman's natural antibodies, instead of fighting off infection and disease, fight against healthy tissues and organs. The result is a significant health complication involving inflammation of tissues, often mimicking arthritis, rash outbreaks and even chest pain and central nervous pain such as chronic headaches and migraines.

When a woman becomes pregnant, unfortunately, the treatment of lupus symptoms becomes limited. For the protection of the fetus, healthcare professionals will discontinue prescribing anti-inflammatory and corticosteroids; the drugs that often relieve the symptoms of lupus. For this reason, pregnant women suffer from such excruciating lupus pain, during pregnancy, which many are unable to work or perform activities of daily living. So, what are the natural methods for relieving some of the pain associated with lupus?

Natural alternatives for lupus pain can be found in a variety of methods that, when used in combination, provide for a more beneficial outcome in the treatment of lupus during pregnancy. As with any alternative medicine, or natural healing processes, pregnancy is one medical diagnosis in which the methods are often most applied. Taking measures to relieve stress during pregnancy, through meditation and pregnancy tailored massages, provide for improved circulation and decreased inflammation.

In addition to massage and meditation, during pregnancy, women with lupus should also consider avoiding sun exposure as the increase in heat and pigment stimulation, during pregnancy, can inflame tissues leading to a further exacerbation of the lupus symptoms. Beyond skin exposure, pregnant women suffering from lupus should also pursue healthy exercise routines, designed for pregnant women, so as to boost metabolism and endorphins during pregnancy. By following these methods, suffering through pregnancy, with lupus, may be a less painful experience.

As with any pregnancy related health condition, it is imperative to discuss treatment options with the obstetrician. For more information regarding pregnancy related massage or lupus natural healing treatments, visit www.dayspa.com.

Published by Christine Cadena

Working on a graduate degree in psychology, Christine has both professional and educational background in health, wellness, insurance, and health finance. Finance expands to all facets of health and insuran...  View profile

  • Women with lupus should also consider avoiding sun exposure as the increase in heat and pigment stimulation
  • When a woman becomes pregnant, unfortunately, the treatment of lupus symptoms becomes limited
  • Lupus, in terms of medical diagnosis, involves an auto immune disease in which a woman's natural antibodies, instead of fighting off infection and disease, fight against healthy tissues and organs
Natural alternatives for lupus pain can be found in a variety of methods that, when used in combination, provide for a more beneficial outcome in the treatment of lupus during pregnancy.

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