Pregnancy and Arthritis.

Last updated Tuesday, January 04, 2005

Caring for mother and baby

Follow-up plan

A follow-up plan should include:

• visiting a doctor regularly--to monitor the arthritis (you may also have to see other specialists, such as a nephrologist or neurologist, depending on the type and severity of your arthritis)
• resuming an exercise program--to help keep your joints functioning (your doctor must first approve this)
• knowing which medications (if any) you should take and if you can breast-feed your baby while taking them.
• knowing how much activity your joints can handle and how you can pace your activities to avoid joint stress

Saving energy

Saving energy is important for any mother. After a baby is born, a woman with arthritis may feel fatigued more often. Some of this will be due to the arthritis, and some due to the loss of sleep and extra energy required to take care of a baby.

Saving energy means performing tasks in ways that require the least amount of energy possible. Women with arthritis can do this by organizing tasks and by planning ahead. Here are some tips to help save energy and time while caring for a baby.

Bathing:

• Place the bathing basin so it's not necessary to lean over, kneel, or reach up to bathe your baby. For example, the basin might be placed on the counter top next to the sink or in the kitchen sink.
• If placed in or near the sink, the basin can be filled with a hose attached to the kitchen faucet. A wash mitt may help a woman with hand problems wash her baby.
• Wear an apron with large pockets in which to place bathing supplies. Shampoo, soap and a bathing mitt will fit nicely and can be returned to their location easily.
• Sit on a high kitchen stool next to the sink while bathing the baby.
• Use a basin that has a plug to drain the water out of it, so you don't have to lift it to empty it. Use a foam rubber basin with an infant headrest, so you don't have to support the baby while bathing it.
• Place your baby in an infant car seat or table top seat for bathing.

Dressing:

• Position the dressing table at waist height for ease in dressing the baby.
• Choose baby clothing that is made of stretchy materials and has few small buttons and snaps. Replace some fasteners or buttons with Velcro fasteners. Use a button hook to button small buttons.
• Place disposable diapers or washable diapers in large bags so they can be dragged rather than lifted.
• Use a zipper pull to close zippers.
• Use shoes with Velcro closure tabs so tying bows won't be necessary.
• Use disposable diapers with plastic tape tabs, or sew Velcro tabs onto cloth diapers rather than using safety pins. If you choose to use cloth diapers with safety pins, puncture a bar of soap with the safety pin so the pin will slide into the diaper more easily.

Feeding:

• To avoid stiffness during nighttime feedings, place a warm blanket over a comfortable chair before retiring. When sitting down, wrap the blanket around yourself.
• Sit in a chair that has arm rests to support the arms while holding the baby.
• If you have difficulty flexing your neck in order to see your baby, place a pillow on your lap so it will raise the baby up in your arms and out slightly so that you can see him or her. This will also help position the arm that is holding the baby bottle. Nursing mothers can also use this position.
• If your feet are stiff and it's difficult to get out of bed for nighttime feedings, do gentle range-of-motion exercises, especially to your ankles before rising at night. A doctor, nurse, or therapist can show how to do the exercises. Also, keep a comfortable pair of shoes, sneakers or slippers next to your bed.
• If it's difficult to hold the baby close to the body while bottle feeding, place the baby in an infant seat on a table.
• If nursing, try to lie on your side while feeding your baby rather than sitting upright and holding the baby.
• If you have hand problems, ask a family member to prepare baby bottles in advance, and keep the bottles in the refrigerator for the day.

Lifting and carrying:

• When carrying the baby, place most of the baby's weight on your largest joint, such as the forearm. You may find it more comfortable to hold the baby close to you with both arms rather than with one.
• Lift and hold the baby with the arms rather than the hands. This decreases the stress on wrists and fingers.
• Use a lightweight stroller that is easy to push and does not require you to bend low to place your baby inside.
• Elevate the playpen on a wooden platform so you don't have to bend over as much. Be sure the legs of the playpen are firmly anchored to the platform.
• Raise the crib mattress, so you don't have to bend over to pick up your baby.

Other tips:

• Use a cart with wheels to help you move equipment around the house and to eliminate multiple trips for small items.
• REST as much as you can. If possible, take a nap when your child does. If you need to rest while your child is awake, ask family, friends, or a hired person to care for him or her.
• Use room intercoms so you can hear your baby when he or she is sleeping. This will save you from walking to the baby's room frequently. Infant intercoms are available in most department stores.
• Keep items you need during the day for the baby in the area of your home where you will be working most of the time.
• Use long-handled tongs to reach high cupboards and to pick up toys.
• As your child becomes a toddler, he or she may be able to move faster than you can. To keep one step ahead of your baby, "child-proof" your home. For example, cover electrical outlets, and put dangerous substances out of reach.

Always discuss any problems with a doctor and health care team. They can help you work around the problem, so you and your baby will be as healthy as possible.

Credits

Some of this material may also be available in an Arthritis Foundation brochure. Contact the Washington/Alaska Chapter Helpline: (800) 542-0295. If dialing from outside of WA and AK, contact the National Helpline: (800) 283-7800.

Adapted from the pamphlet originally prepared for the Arthritis Foundation by Diane M. Erlandson, RN, MS, MPH, Patricia A. Fraser, M.D., Michael Greene, M.D., Martha K. Logigian, MS, OTR/L, Mary Myers, OTR, MEd, and Connie Roberts, RD, MS. This material is protected by copyright.

Disclaimer

This resource has been provided by the University of Washington Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine as general information only. This information may not apply to a specific patient. Additional information may be found at http://www.orthop.washington.edu or by contacting the UW Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine.

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