I am six weeks pregnant with sacroiliitis. How will my pregnancy affect sacroiliitis?

Question

Hello doctor,

I have been diagnosed with Sacroiliitis caused by AS and hypermobility, which I manage without tablets, and by doing exercises, stretching, and seeing an osteopath once a month to prevent flare-ups. I have also been refered to a rheumatologist with suspected fibromyalgia and I am still waiting for the first appointment. I have now found out that I am six weeks pregnant and have a few questions. Can I still see the rheumatologist regarding fibromyalgia and treatment for sacroiliitis? How will pregnancy affect my sacroiliitis? Will I get more pain? Are there risks in giving birth? How could I be affected after giving birth?

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

To answer your questions in turn, yes, that will be fine to see a rheumatologist, they should be able to help you. It is hard to say how pregnancy will affect sacroiliitis. Some people improve during pregnancy and some people worsen but there are things that can be done even whilst you are pregnant. The rheumatologist can help you with this. There are not any actual extra risks of giving birth, your joints are inflamed but not damaged. After birth your symptoms may worsen or improve, it is difficult to know at this stage, but again there is plenty that can be done to help. So it would be good to see your rheumatologist shortly after birth.

I hope this helps.