It's usually diagnosed during childbearing years, between the ages of 20 and 40. But it can happen at any age. The good news is that if you have MS and get the right medical care, chances are you can have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.
Can I have a healthy pregnancy and birth with MS? Several studies have shown that mothers with MS are just as likely to have healthy pregnancies and healthy babies as those without.
MS does not increase the risk of miscarriage or birth defects. Some women have fewer MS symptoms during pregnancy, then a temporary relapse after delivery. But pregnancy, delivering a baby, and early motherhood do not increase the risk of being disabled by MS over time.
Many women with MS experience fewer relapses during pregnancy, even though they often reduce or stop their medications. They may, however, experience more severe symptoms after birth. The exact reason for this isn't yet known. But it suggests that in pregnancy, women's bodies are able to suppress MS to some extent.
MS can happen more than once in a family, but it's much more likely this will not happen. There's only about a 1.5% chance of a child developing MS when their mother or father has it (that means around one in 67 get it).
Can I breastfeed my baby if I have MS? Having MS need not affect your choices in how you feed your baby. Breastfeeding is recommended for all babies, including those who have parents with MS.
Average life span of 25 to 35 years after the diagnosis of MS is made are often stated. Some of the most common causes of death in MS patients are secondary complications resulting from immobility, chronic urinary tract infections, compromised swallowing and breathing.
MS itself is rarely fatal, but complications may arise from severe MS, such as chest or bladder infections, or swallowing difficulties. The average life expectancy for people with MS is around 5 to 10 years lower than average, and this gap appears to be getting smaller all the time.
Epidural analgesia and anesthesia has not been linked to worsening MS. When using epidural analgesia and anesthesia, the lowest effective concentration is recommended to minimize any potential risks of local anesthetic crossing into the CSF.
Multiple sclerosis is considered not to have an impact on women's ability to conceive and carry fetus' to term, and as MS diagnosis does not increase rates of premature or stillbirth, birth defects, cesarean delivery or spontaneous abortions.
Research has demonstrated that MS occurs in most ethnic groups, including African Americans, Asian Americans and Hispanics/Latinx in the U.S., but is most common among white people of northern European descent.
You may have to adapt your daily life if you're diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), but with the right care and support many people can lead long, active and healthy lives.
Pregnancy and delivery with MS
There are fewer MS relapses during pregnancy, especially in the second and third trimesters. Changes that take place in a woman's body during pregnancy are believed to contribute to less inflammation, less MS activity and fewer relapses.
The information we have shows that Avonex, Betaferon, Extavia, Rebif, Plegridy and Copaxone are safe to take both whilst trying to conceive and during pregnancy. These medications are likely to be safe during breastfeeding as well.
Many people with MS may live for 25 to 35 years or longer after their diagnosis. Survival is improving in MS patients, but chronic medical conditions such as heart disease, lung disease, depression, or diabetes may lower life expectancy in MS.
Effect of MS on Life Span
In the population studied, people with MS had a median life span of 75.9 years, while for people without MS, it was 83.4 years.
Pulmonary complications.
MS can weaken the muscles that control the lungs. Such respiratory issues are the major cause of sickness and death in people in the final stages of MS.
Many people with MS choose to use wheelchairs or scooters from time to time or to do certain things, perhaps because of symptoms like fatigue or weakness, or to conserve energy.
There is no cure for MS, but there are drugs that can alter the course of the condition. Research in recent years has determined a few things about risk factors. For example, low levels of vitamin D, smoking, having overweight, and living farther from the Equator can increase the risk.
Dairy and MS. Overcoming MS strongly recommends that people with MS avoid dairy in their diet because research shows a high correlation between MS and dairy products, because of the high saturated fat content, and specific proteins in cow's milk.
The risk for MS relapse continues for several months after a woman gives birth. “However, breastfeeding and rapidly restarting medications after delivery can help prevent relapse,” Bove said. “Some relapses, even if women recover from them in the short-term, could eventually result in more rapid worsening of function.
Multiple sclerosis relapse rates decrease in the third trimester of pregnancy, but increase in the 3 months post partum, with up to 30% of women having a relapse. Postpartum relapses are associated with high baseline relapse rate and disability6,7 and may worsen disability.
People with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) may go through periods of new or worsening symptoms called flares. Common symptoms of MS flares can include feeling tired, pain, numbness, dizziness, muscle spasms, muscle weakness, brain fog, problems with going to the bathroom, or trouble seeing.