This is one of the important reasons for the combined lupus pregnancy clinics. Patients need regular and careful monitoring during this critical time when hormone changes are dramatic. The advice is to be monitored during pregnancy and more frequently after delivery. Management of the sick pregnant lupus patient Some patients do have active lupus during their pregnancy. A rise in blood pressure is common, especially with patients having mild to moderate kidney disease.
Modern drugs are far more effective than they used to be.
The majority of drugs used in lupus are safe in pregnancy. In some patients with active lupus, high-doses of steroids, perhaps 40mgs daily, have been used during pregnancy. Clearly, this high-dose does pose problems, like weight gain. For patients with more severe illness, particularly kidney disease, drugs such as azathiaprine may be needed. Data does not show that Azathiaprine poses a major threat to either mother or baby.