Pregnancy doesn’t affect the long-term course of gMG, although some women may experience periods with symptom improvement or exacerbation during their pregnancy.1
Symptoms of gMG vary during pregnancy, with exacerbations more likely during the first three months (first trimester) of pregnancy and soon after the baby’s birth.2
Symptoms of gMG vary during pregnancy, with exacerbations more likely during the first three months (first trimester) of pregnancy and soon after the baby’s birth.2
However, it’s not clear just how common exacerbations are.4 A meta-analysis (a published summary of several studies) found that most women with gMG (around 7 in every 10 or 68.8%) experienced no exacerbations during their pregnancy.4
Nevertheless, pregnancy is likely to make you feel more tired than usual, due to the changes happening in your body, the weight gain in later stages, and the extra daily effort required with any pregnancy.1 It’s essential that your pregnancy is carefully managed by a multidisciplinary team of experts with regular obstetric and neurology check-ups.3
Nevertheless, pregnancy is likely to make you feel more tired than usual, due to the changes happening in your body, the weight gain in later stages, and the extra daily effort required with any pregnancy.1 It’s essential that your pregnancy is carefully managed by a multidisciplinary team of experts with regular obstetric and neurology check-ups.3
The risk of pregnancy complications
is similar to the general population, with the exception of water breaking early (before 37 weeks of gestation) which occurs at a rate roughly double that of the general population.3,5
Most women with gMG give birth naturally, with 45.8% giving birth through spontaneous vaginal deliveries.4
In a meta-analysis it was found that 6.4% (23/357) of women experienced a myasthenic crisis during pregnancy and 8.2% (31/380) after giving birth.4
- Roche P, Bouhour F. Myasthenia gravis and pregnancy. Rev Neurol (Paris). 2021 Mar;177(3):215-219. doi: 10.1016/j.neurol.2020.09.015.
- Chaudhry SA, Vignarajah B, Koren G. Myasthenia gravis during pregnancy. Can Fam Physician. 2012;58(12):1346-1349.
- Gilhus NE. Myasthenia Gravis Can Have Consequences for Pregnancy and the Developing Child. Front Neurol. 2020 Jun 12;11:554.
- Banner H, Niles KM, Ryu M, Sermer M, Bril V, Murphy KE. Myasthenia gravis in pregnancy: Systematic review and case series. Obstet Med. 2022 Jun;15(2):108-117.
- Kumar L, Kachhadia MP, Kaur J, Patel H, Noor K, Gohel RG, Kaur P, Raiyani S, Gohel VA, Vasavada AM. Choices and Challenges With Treatment of Myasthenia Gravis in Pregnancy: A Systematic Review. Cureus. 2023 Jul 31;15(7):e42772.
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