pregnancy

Fewer Women With MS Choosing to Stop DMT Use While Pregnant

The use of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) by pregnant women with multiple sclerosis (MS) significantly increased over the last decade or so, and fewer of them are stopping treatment before giving birth, a single-center study in Italy reported. While most patients (95.1%) discontinued a DMT while pregnant between 2005…

Pregnancy Risks Not Likely to Rise With Early DMT Use, Study Finds

The rates of pregnancy complications are not higher in women with multiple sclerosis (MS) who were usingĀ disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) in the earliest stages of pregnancy, a study reported. The study, “Pregnancy outcomes after early fetal exposure to injectable first-line treatments, dimethyl fumarate or natalizumab in…

After Pregnancy, Women Show More Brain Lesions, Volume Loss

Women with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) have more brain lesions and accelerated brain volume loss (BVL) after pregnancy compared with pre-pregnancy measurements, recent data showed. Brain lesions in the early postpartum period ā€” the first months following childbirth ā€”Ā were associated with a higher risk of worsened disability and relapse…

Pregnancy Poses Challenges to MS Management, Review Study Shows

Women with multiple sclerosis (MS) who receive high-efficacy disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) before conception have a greater risk of relapses and disability progression during pregnancy than those given moderate-efficacy or no DMTs, according to a systematic review of studies. Exclusive breastfeeding for at least two to four months, however,…

MS and Fertility: Conflicts of the Heart and Mind

ā€œRock bottom is the end of what wasnā€™t true enough. Begin again and build something Truer.” ā€” Glennon Doyle The first of our four pregnancy losses were our twin daughters in 2013, which happened nearly halfway through my pregnancy. Three years later, the first symptoms appeared that would eventually would…

Longer Breastfeeding May Damage Brain By Delaying DMT Use

Having at least one pregnancy may lower disability scores in women with multiple sclerosis (MS), but breastfeeding for longer than six months may worsen damage to the brain, an observational study in patients has found. Findings support the need for careful pregnancy planning, counseling, and treatment management to ensure…

#ACTRIMS2021 ā€“ Taking Medication During Pregnancy Reduces Healthcare Costs

Editorā€™s note: TheĀ Multiple Sclerosis News Today news team is providing in-depth and unparalleled coverage of the virtual ACTRIMS Forum 2021, Feb. 25ā€“27. GoĀ hereĀ to see the latest stories from the conference. Women with multiple sclerosis (MS) who continue taking disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) throughout pregnancy accrue lower non-maternity healthcare…

TH17-suppressing Pregnancy Proteins May Be MS Therapeutic Target

Proteins called PSGs suppress the pro-inflammatory activity of immune Th17 cells during pregnancy, potentially playing a protective role against complications and miscarriage, a study finds.Ā  The impaired regulation of Th17 is associated with pregnancy complications, like preeclampsia and preterm delivery ā€” and also with the development…

Managing Expectations on Your Wedding Day

Rose petal confetti ā€” made from the roses my dad had given me a few days before ā€” rained down as the people I cared about most in the world cheered.Ā  “Congratulations!” came from all around as family and friends pulled me in for a hug. My legs,…