Abstract

PREVENTION OF AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES RISK FACTORS IN PREGNANCY BY GARBHADANA SAMSKARA

*Dr. Bhavishya C. M. and Dr. Suchetha Kumari

Abstract

Pregnancy and autoimmunity are a potentially hazardous combination. But with the right guidance and therapy, these women can become healthy mothers. Preconception care is an opportunity to identify the risk factors and to optimize the pre-existing conditions for better perinatal outcome. Autoimmune conditions occur when immune system abnormalities cause inflammation or pain in the joints, muscles, heart, lungs, kidneys, and skin. For decades, women with these conditions were advised to avoid pregnancy because of the risks, which can include miscarriage, preterm labour, and preeclampsia, a pregnancy induced high blood pressure. Now, with proper medical care and counselling before and after giving birth, many women with autoimmune conditions can have safe and successful pregnancies. There are several types of autoimmune diseases Such as Systemic Lupus Erythematous, Antiphospholipid Syndrome, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Scleroderma and each affects a pregnancy differently Where as Autoimmune disorders such as autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto and Graves’ disease), celiac disease, type 1 diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, and psoriasis have been on the rise in the last 20 years. Autoimmune disorders are conditions in which an on going, self-directed immune response results in clinical manifestations. In the past, women with autoimmune diseases were frequently counselled against conceiving. Today, more and more women with a range of autoimmune conditions are enjoying healthy pregnancies. However, they are still considered high-risk pregnancies. Autoimmune disorders are 5 times more common among women, and incidence tends to peak during reproductive years. Thus, these disorders commonly occur in pregnant women. These results focus on the importance of early multidisciplinary interventions that can support expectant women when they show signs of relationship difficulties with their infants prior to his/her birth.

Keywords: Autoimmune disorder, Garbhadhanasamskara, antenatal care.