Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 29, 2025

Is My Mouse Pregnant? High-Frequency Ultrasound Assessment

Is My Mouse Pregnant? High-Frequency Ultrasound Assessment

Published on: March 18, 2021

Practical Considerations for Managing Pregnancy in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis: Dispelling the Myths

Edith L Graham¹, Riley Bove¹, Kathleen Costello¹

¹Department of Neurology (ELG), Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL; Department of Neurology (RB), UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco; Can Do Multiple Sclerosis (KC), Avon, CO; Multiple Sclerosis Center of Greater Washington (HC), Vienna, VA; Department of Neurology (DAJ), Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia; Department of Neurology (SS), Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC; Envision Pharma Group (FS), Glasgow, UK; Stoll Medical Group (SSS), Philadelphia, PA; and Brigham Multiple Sclerosis Center (MKH), Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.

Neurology. Clinical Practice

|April 8, 2024

Summary

Managing multiple sclerosis (MS) during pregnancy requires clear guidance. This review addresses common patient-physician discussions on family planning, disease-modifying therapies (DMTs), and postpartum care for women with MS.

Area of Science:

Neurology
Reproductive Medicine
Clinical Pharmacology

Background:

Inconsistent data and guidance create variability in managing pregnancy for women with multiple sclerosis (MS).
Disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) for MS are often excluded from clinical trials involving pregnant or lactating individuals, leading to limited labeling information.
This results in heterogeneous interpretations of DMT safety during pregnancy and lactation, including necessary preconception washout periods.

Purpose of the Study:

To identify key areas of conflicting information regarding family planning and pregnancy in MS.
To focus on common physician-patient discussion points throughout the family planning, pregnancy, postpartum, and lactation journey.
To inform patient-physician conversations and offer best practice recommendations based on clinical expertise.

Main Methods:

Review of current evidence-based data on DMT use in pregnancy and lactation.
Analysis of the impact of MS on fertility and fertility treatments.
Assessment of risks associated with pregnancy and delivery outcomes in women with MS.
Evaluation of postpartum relapse risks and safety of immunizations and clinical imaging during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Main Results:

Presents the latest evidence on DMT use during pregnancy and lactation.
Discusses MS effects on fertility and risks of adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Outlines risks of postpartum relapse and safety of immunizations/imaging.

Conclusions:

Up-to-date information is crucial for managing family planning and pregnancy in patients with MS.
Early and frequent discussions between healthcare providers, patients, and partners are recommended.
Shared decision-making, considering individual risk/benefit analyses, is emphasized.
Further research is needed for underrepresented populations and to inform ongoing management through registries and targeted clinical trials.

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Creating a Versatile Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis Model Relevant for Both Male and Female Mice

Author Spotlight: Creating a Versatile Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis Model Relevant for Both Male and Female Mice

Published on: October 13, 2023

Methods for Studying Uterine Contributions to Pregnancy Establishment in an Ovariectomized Mouse Model

Methods for Studying Uterine Contributions to Pregnancy Establishment in an Ovariectomized Mouse Model

Published on: April 7, 2023

Related Concept Videos

Irritable Bowel Syndrome III: Medical and Nursing Management

Irritable Bowel Syndrome III: Medical and Nursing Management

Managing Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) involves a multifaceted approach, including lifestyle modifications, dietary changes, and medication.

Birth Control Methods

Birth Control Methods

Vasectomy is a surgical form of male sterilization that involves severing and sealing the vasa deferentia, preventing sperm from mixing with semen during ejaculation. Because a vasectomy does not impact the testes' ability to produce testosterone, hormone levels, libido, and sexual function generally remain unchanged. While vasectomy is highly effective in preventing pregnancy, with a success rate near 99.85%, rare cases of recanalization (spontaneous reconnection) can occur. Although...

Methods of Documentation VI: Case Management Model

Methods of Documentation VI: Case Management Model

The case management model is a multidisciplinary approach that involves healthcare professionals from diverse disciplines, such as physicians, nurses, therapists, social workers, and pharmacists, working collaboratively to address the various needs of patients. Each healthcare professional brings unique expertise and perspectives, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of the patient's condition and tailoring treatment plans accordingly.
For example, a patient with a chronic...

Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques IV

Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques IV

Stress often leads to unhealthy habits like smoking, excessive drinking, and overeating, which offer short-term relief but ultimately increase long-term health risks. These behaviors create a cycle that temporarily lowers stress levels but can result in severe long-term health consequences. Breaking these habits is essential to reduce the risk of chronic diseases and improve overall well-being. Three primary changes that support better health include quitting smoking, reducing alcohol intake,...

Factors Affecting Drug Response: Overview

Factors Affecting Drug Response: Overview

When it comes to infants and young children, they are typically administered smaller doses of medication in comparison to adults. This is primarily because their organ functions still need to fully develop, meaning their bodies are not as efficient at metabolizing or eliminating drugs. Additionally, their blood-brain barrier is more permeable than in adults. As a result, high concentrations of drugs can easily penetrate the central nervous system (CNS), potentially leading to neurological...

Pneumonia V: Nursing management and Prevention

Pneumonia V: Nursing management and Prevention

Nursing management of pneumonia involves promoting airway patency, facilitating rest and conserving energy, encouraging fluid intake, maintaining nutrition, and educating patients.
The nurse must practice strict medical asepsis and adhere to infection control guidelines to minimize healthcare-associated infections.
Enhance airway patency
Position the patient correctly to facilitate drainage of the affected lung segments. Manual or mechanical percussion and vibration can also be employed....

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Gynecologic complications of disease-modifying therapy in women with multiple sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis (Houndmills, Basingstoke, England)·2026

Menopause and neurological disorders: a roadmap for research.

Nature reviews. Neurology·2026

In-clinic validation of a smartphone-based finger tapping test for use in neurodegenerative and neurological populations.

medRxiv : the preprint server for health sciences·2026

Natalizumab is associated with improved relapse outcomes and lower healthcare utilization versus ocrelizumab in treatment-naïve people with multiple sclerosis.

Journal of medical economics·2026

Neurological involvement and pregnancy outcomes in autoimmune disease: mechanisms, clinical implications, and research gaps.

Rheumatology international·2026

Large language models to infer depression in patients with neurological conditions.

BMJ neurology open·2026

See all related articles