Get ready for a thought-provoking journey into the world of Multiple Sclerosis and Pregnancy in our latest episode titled"Getting Pregnant? The Latest Evidence-Based Information Every Woman Needs to Know about MS and Pregnancy."Join us as Associate Professor Vilija Jokubaitis, an esteemed expert in neuroimmunology and genomics, shares her invaluable insights into managing MS during pregnancy. Discover the late st research findings, debunk common myths, and gain evidence-based knowledge that every woman with MS and her healthcare team should know.In this episode, we explore the impact of pregnancy on Multiple Sclerosis, the effects of disease-modifying therapies, and the intricacies of managing MS during pregnancy and postpartum. We discuss the safety of various treatments, the role of breastfeeding, and how to make informed decisions to optimize your well-being.If you or someone you know is considering pregnancy while managing MS, don't miss this episode. Empower yourself with expert guidance that can make a significant difference in your journey. Tune in and stay informed about the latest developments in MS management during pregnancy!

[SHOW NOTES: MS and Pregnancy - Final Summary]

Here's a comprehensive summary of the key points covered:

1. Misinformation Survey (0:02)
   • Dr Straukiene discusses a survey revealing that 50% of women with MS receive misinformation about family planning.
2. Impact of Pregnancy on MS (5:12)
   • Research shows that relapse rates decrease during pregnancy, but there is a rebound of disease activity after delivery.
   • Pregnancy may have a significant long-term impact on women with MS, potentially outweighing the impact of disease-modifying therapies.
3. MS Treatments During Pregnancy and Postpartum (11:12)
   • Research suggests a window of opportunity during pregnancy for reducing long-term disability accumulation.
   • Early family planning is encouraged to maximize potential benefits.
   • Managing MS during pregnancy, especially in the postpartum period, requires strategic planning to prevent relapses.
4. MS Disease-Modifying Therapies During Pregnancy (16:54)
   • Consideration of potential risks of disease-modifying therapies during pregnancy is crucial.
   • Safety concerns exist for certain therapies, like fingolimod, natalizumab anti CD20 therapies.
   • Natalizumab use has risks, including thrombocytopenia for fetus, but can be restarted after delivery with proper coordination.
5. Managing MS During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding (25:21)
   
   • A multidisciplinary team, including obstetricians, MS nurses, and consultants, can improve outcomes.
6. MS Treatment and Breastfeeding During Postpartum (29:44)
   
   • Breastfeeding can help reduce postpartum disease activity.
7. Breastfeeding and Postpartum Relapse Prevention (34:52)
   • Exclusive breastfeeding may reduce postpartum relapse risk, but it doesn't completely suppress inflammation.
   • Restarting disease-modifying therapy after delivery reduces relapse risk.
   • Breastfeeding is safe while on disease-modifying therapy.
8. MS, Breastfeeding, and Disease-Modifying Therapies (40:23)
   • Research has examined the transfer of disease-modifying therapies in breast milk.
   • Practical advice is offered, including storing colostrum and effective communication with healthcare providers.

Here is the link to the webinar that Vilija did for MSPlus on pregnancy and fertility - this gives a lot more detailed information on the topic if your listeners are interested: https://www.msplus.org.au/resources/pregnancy-fertility-and-ms

Vilija also helped to develop this women's health check list, it might also be of interest:
https://www.msplus.org.au/uploads/documents/2023-MS-Plus-Womens-Health-Week-Checklist.pdf