Lupus is an autoimmune condition that affects the immune system and causes extreme fatigue, joint pain, skin changes, and other issues. Symptoms range from mild to severe. When you have symptoms, it is called having a “flare” and when you don’t, you considered to be in “remission.” When you have lupus and are pregnant, your doctor will likely watch you closely for preeclampsia, possible premature birth, Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR), and/or a miscarriage that could happen later in pregnancy. These complications are risks, but not all women experience these or any complications. Here are some top tips for managing lupus during pregnancy.

Food Choices

Eat well during your pregnancy. This means eating a balanced diet that includes plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and some protein. Healthy fats from nuts and seeds and from animal sources like salmon, mackerel, and other fatty fish contain Omega-3s that are known to help with their anti-inflammatory properties. Flaxseed may help delay the release of protein into the urine and may help preserve the glomerular filtration rate. Chia seeds, hemp hearts, and walnuts are additions to food that are recommended.

Foods to avoid:

• Gluten can trigger a lupus flare-up.
• Sugar can over stimulate the immune system and increase pain so eating too much should be avoided.
• Trans fat can lead to inflammation. People with lupus sometimes have a hard time metabolizing saturated fats and should consider limiting red meat, cheese, creamed foods, and packaged foods.
• Certain legumes trigger lupus flare-ups in some people. The legumes to watch are alfalfa seeds and sprouts, peanuts, soybeans, green beans, and snow peas. Avoid these legumes if they cause problems for you.
• Too much caffeine or alcohol can cause worsened inflammation, damage to the liver, increased pain, and cause dehydration or sleep related problems, so avoid too much of these.

Self-Care

Get plenty of rest. All pregnant women need lots of sleep, but if you have lupus, you may need even more sleep or rest periods than most pregnant mamas.

Exercise every day, unless you are told otherwise by your healthcare provider. Balance getting rest with periods of gentle to moderate exercise.

Modify your exercise, activities, and routine if you feel tired or are in pain.

Other Tips

Try not to gain excess unnecessary weight during pregnancy. Be sure to nourish yourself and your baby well. Watch what you eat and avoid overeating non-nutritious, high caloric food.

According to Ruth Trickey, in Women, Hormones & the Menstrual Cycle, prostaglandin inhibitors like aspirin should be avoided with people who have lupus because they can cause problems.

Prepare for the possibility of premature delivery, since about half of pregnancies in women with lupus give birth prematurely.

Be sure you have any extra support you need. Having family, friends, and your provider team can help you cope with a high risk pregnancy like lupus. Because you have lupus, it may take longer to recover from giving birth and face the challenges of parenthood. Ongoing help would be a blessing.

Don’t smoke. Smoking can worsen the effects of lupus on your blood vessels and heart.

Action Step

Carefully consider which of these top tips for managing lupus during pregnancy could help you and implement at least one of them today. Remember to talk with your health care provider to determine which ones you can safely do and receive benefit.

May God bless you on your wellness journey!

Joni

PS What experience do you have with managing lupus?