You might want to ask your OB or rheumatologist to test you for APS. I believe this is what is the most common cause of problems in lupus patients. If you have the antibodies they can treat you to prevent problems.

thank you! I have a OB appointment tomorrow and saw my rheum. today. Getting some blood work done tomorrow.

You will have to listen to your body very carefully, nap when you need it and if eat whatever you want! Congratulations!

I have had SLE since I was 14 - since then I was told I couldn't have children and then conceived 4 times (1 miscarriage) my first 2 pregnancies were fine. I was in remission when they started and they watched me as High Risk but I had NO problems. I started a flare-up and then was still dealing with that when I got pregnant with my 4th. We had to adjust my meds a little, I was watched by my Ob and my RA a little more closely but still had no major complications. The worst I had was that my Lupus has caused severe RA and my hips HURT by 36 weeks. They induced me at 38 weeks with my 1st because my hips were so sore they were worried about me falling. I ended up with a C-Section. From that point they scheduled a c-section with the next 2 at 38 weeks just to avoid the extra stress on my hips.
You might also be surprised to know that sometimes they have found that pregnancy "resets" your body and can actually send you into remission.
Also - my OB was a High Risk specialist and she said it was VERY common with women with SLE to struggle with sever nausea and to not be afraid to take meds to ease it, that it was actually less stressful on your body then throwing up non-stop.

Congratulations!

During pregnancy, I actually felt better...almost normal. I had energy (wow), slept well, and had a good appetite. Of course, a bad case of nerves is a good sign too - it means your hormones are ramping up to take care of this bambino until it arrives.

The closer I got to delivery the more my hips hurt, but that's just part of pregnancy as they begin to separate in anticipation for birth. I had c-sections as well. I really wish they'd allowed me to deliver naturally, but I had another "issue" that troubled my doctor.

The problem with Lupus and pregnancy is AFTER delivery (or at least it was for me). Week one was usually OK. Week two was usually "meh", but by week three or four I was flat on my back and in extra amounts of pain.

So, take care of yourself and the new addition and plan for extra help (take all the help you can find) for a few weeks after the birth just in case you flare, K?

I just came across this new study:

http://www.webmd.com/lupus/news/20150622/pregnancy-results-good-for-women-with-controlled-lupus-study

Hope it relieves your concerns a bit.

I had my daughter 3 yrs ago. Yes I was high risk. They scared us like crazy in the beginning with everything that could go wrong. I had a pretty uneventful pregnancy thank god. I did go twice a week for non stress test and ultrasound once I hit my 24th week. My amniotic fluid was low throughout the while pregnancy ( normal for lupus mom's ) a few times they gave me fluids to increase the fluid for the baby. At 36 weeks after 3 straight checks of my amniotic fluid being very low and the baby didn't gain any weight in the last 2 weeks we decided to induce. I had a healthy 6 lb 2 Oz baby girl. God bless you and your baby :)

It is interesting that nausea was more prominant in women with lupus during pregnancy. I was deathly ill during 2 of my pregnancies and normally ill during a third ( normal morning sickness). I always felt like I had ruptured something in my stomach during my first pregnancy and my stomach was never normal again. Hmmm. Makes me think!
Mary Ann

My first two pregnancies, I did not have Lupus. Started having Lupus symptoms shortly after the second was born. Three years later I was diagnosed then got pregnant and had a miscarriage. In 2005 I got pregnant again and was considered high risk and monitored very closely. During my pregnancy, I felt the best I did in years. At 13 weeks I started to bleed and went to the ER where I was told I was carrying twins and one did not make it I was told to prepare for the second to pass as well but in July, full term, I delivered a healthy baby boy. I went into a massive flare after giving birth so I would suggest accepting support from anyone you can during and after the baby is born.
Good luck to you!

I did fine with my pregnancy but I was nervous just like you in the beginning. I actually felt average, maybe a bit better than before pregnancy. I was followed by a high risk rheumy and saw my regular rheumy once then the OB monitored me the rest of the way. It was very uneventful. I had little nausea. My first was actually bad with the morning sickness and that was before lupus.