The short explanation
Planning ahead is very helpful, and many women with rheumatoid arthritis have healthy pregnancies. The key is to talk with your rheumatologist before you start trying, ideally several months ahead. Some medicines used for rheumatoid arthritis are not safe in pregnancy and need to be stopped or switched well before conceiving, while others can be continued. Doctors also aim to have the disease well controlled before pregnancy, because active disease can affect both you and the pregnancy. Do not stop any medicine on your own; changes should be planned with your doctor.
What depends on your situation
The parts of this that change from woman to woman. Uncertainty is stated, not hidden.
- Many women find their symptoms improve during pregnancy, but they may flare after delivery, so planning for that time is useful.
- Your rheumatologist and gynaecologist may work together during your pregnancy.
- Folic acid before conception is generally advised for women planning pregnancy; ask your doctor what is suitable for you.
- Your partner's medicines may also matter in some cases, so mention them.
What this answer cannot determine
The boundary of online education. These need a clinician who can see you.
- This answer cannot tell which of your medicines need changing. That depends on your treatment and your doctor's advice.
Questions for your clinician
Take these with you. You can add any of them to an appointment card.
- Which of my medicines need to be changed before I try to conceive?
- How long before trying should changes be made?
- How will my disease be monitored during pregnancy?
- What happens after delivery and during breastfeeding?
When to seek help
Clinician-approved guidance for this topic. When in doubt, being seen is never the wrong choice.
Book an appointment soon
- See your doctor within a few days if you find you are pregnant while on rheumatoid arthritis medicines.
Raise it at a routine appointment
- Book a routine appointment with your rheumatologist to plan pregnancy several months ahead.
Sources
The evidence this explanation is built on.
- Rheumatoid arthritis MedlinePlus (US National Library of Medicine)
- Rheumatoid arthritis NHS
Who wrote and reviewed this
Every AskHer answer names its author. A clinically reviewed answer also names the clinician who signed it off — if no clinician is named below, it has not been clinically reviewed.
- Author
- AskHer Editorial (AI-assisted draft) AskHer's editorial team — not an individual clinician Works in English, தமிழ், हिन्दी
- Clinical reviewer
- Nobody yet No clinician has signed this answer off, and no person on the editorial team has read it yet. That is what the “Written with AI assistance” label means. It is queued for an editor to read, and then for a clinician who works in this area. The sources it was drafted against are listed above.
- Review status
- Written with AI assistance — not yet reviewed by a person
- Last reviewed
- Not yet reviewed by a person
- Version
- 1
Correction history
Substantive changes are listed, not quietly edited away.
No corrections have been made since this answer was first published.
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