Pregnancy Management in Multiple Sclerosis and Other Demyelinating Diseases

Multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSDs) are chronic autoimmune demyelinating conditions of the central nervous system often diagnosed in women of childbearing age. Therefore, safe family planning, pregnancy, and postpartum management are important considerations for many patients with MS or NMOSD.

Many patients with MS can safely become pregnant and remain well throughout pregnancy and the postpartum period with guidance from specialists on treatment planning. During pregnancy, women with NMOSD may face some increased risk of both neurologic and obstetric complications. Recent attention has focused on evaluating the safety of pharmacologic agents during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Unfortunately, care disparities remain common in both MS and NMOSD, and recovery of function is often not optimally managed in the postpartum period.

This article reviews the current state of knowledge on peripartum management in these neurologic conditions and offers practical considerations and case studies. When caring for women with MS and NMOSD of childbearing potential, treatment planning is important to optimize outcomes in both patient and newborn.