eMedicine Specialties > Obstetrics and Gynecology > Medical Problems in Pregnancy

Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome and Pregnancy: Follow-up

Author: Teresa G Berg, MD, FACOG, Associate Professor, Program Director, Director of the Perinatal Diagnostic Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Nebraska Medical Center
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Aug 11, 2008

Follow-up

Further Inpatient Care

Institute inpatient care as appropriate for the clinical findings.

Further Outpatient Care

Institute outpatient care as appropriate for clinical findings. Grief support may be indicated for families who experience perinatal losses.

Miscellaneous

Special Concerns

  • Regarding corticosteroid therapy, administer supplementation to cover the labor or cesarean delivery in patients currently receiving steroids or those recently treated with these drugs.
  • No evidence indicates adverse effects related to breastfeeding, although breastfeeding is not recommended if high doses of cytotoxic or immunosuppressive agents are required.
  • Pregnancy in itself is not harmful to the mother or the baby unless the added work related to the newborn and the emotional stress in the family prove to be too much for a particular patient. Therapeutic abortions are generally not indicated in pregnant women with autoimmune disease.
  • Epidural anesthetic is not recommended if the mother has a marked drop in the maternal platelet count.
  • The use of forceps or the vacuum extractor should be individualized.
 
Acknowledgments

The authors and editors of eMedicine gratefully acknowledge the contributions of previous authors Stella Nowicki, DDS; Gregory Locksmith, MD; and Bogdan Nowicki, MD, PhD to the development and writing of this article.



More on Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome and Pregnancy

Overview: Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome and Pregnancy
Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome and Pregnancy
Treatment & Medication: Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome and Pregnancy
Follow-up: Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome and Pregnancy
References
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Further Reading

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Keywords

antiphospholipid syndrome, APS, lupus anticoagulant, LAC, anticardiolipin antibodies, aCL, autoimmune disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, lupus, SLE,  lupus erythematosus, LE, fetal loss, thrombosis, autoimmune thrombocytopenia, infertility, pregnancy complications, fetal mortality, fetal morbidity, maternal morbidity, spontaneous abortion, prematurity, stillbirth, fetal growth restriction, FGR, fetal growth retardation

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Teresa G Berg, MD, FACOG, Associate Professor, Program Director, Director of the Perinatal Diagnostic Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Nebraska Medical Center
Teresa G Berg, MD, FACOG is a member of the following medical societies: American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Central Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Bruce A Meyer, MD, MBA, Vice President for Medical Affairs, Associate Dean for Health System Affairs and Director of the Faculty Practice Plan, Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School
Bruce A Meyer, MD, MBA is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American College of Physician Executives, American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Massachusetts Medical Society, Medical Group Management Association, and Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: eMedicine Salary Employment

CME Editor

Frederick B Gaupp, MD, Consulting Staff, Department of Family Practice, Hancock Medical Center
Frederick B Gaupp, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Family Physicians
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Carl V Smith, MD, The Distinguished Chris J and Marie A Olson Chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Nebraska Medical Center
Carl V Smith, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, American Medical Association, Arkansas Medical Society, Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Central Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Council of University Chairs of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nebraska Medical Association, and Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
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