Pregnancy and MS

The majority of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) are women, many of whom are diagnosed at about the age when they may be thinking of becoming pregnant. The good news is that studies suggest having MS does not impact your ability to become pregnant. However, the symptoms of MS may make being pregnant more difficult. For example, muscle weakness and coordination problems may increase the risk of falls, especially as pregnancy affects your center of gravity. Some women may also experience difficulties during their delivery, if the muscles needed for pushing are affected.

Does pregnancy make MS worse?

Not usually. In fact, some women with MS see an improvement in their symptoms while pregnant. However, some studies also suggest that symptoms may worsen after delivery. Your doctor will be able to advise about available treatment options if you experience a worsening of your symptoms either during or after pregnancy.

Is my baby at risk of getting MS?

MS is not an inherited disease, which means that it is not directly passed from a parent to a child. MS, however, does have a genetic component. We can think of genes as the instruction book for what our bodies look like, and how they work. With MS, there are about 200 genes that may contribute to a person’s risk of developing MS. Because genes can be inherited, siblings and children of people with MS have a slightly higher risk (about 2–4%) of developing MS (compared with the general population).

How will MS treatment affect my baby?

All pregnant women are advised to think carefully about any substances (e.g. foods, drinks, and medications) they put into their body. This is because some substances can move from the mother’s bloodstream directly to the baby’s bloodstream (through the placenta).

In many cases, when a woman receives a medication, the effect of that medication on the health of her baby is often not known. This is because pregnant women are often not allowed to participate in studies that test potential new medications. However, pregnancy registries are studies created to potentially help healthcare providers learn more about medications and their effects on women and their babies. The aim is to gather information that will help women and their healthcare providers make informed decisions in the future about their medication use before or during pregnancy.

Learn about the BlossoMS Pregnancy Registry here.

For the latest Vumerity® (diroximel fumarate) Important Safety Information, please refer to the full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide. This is not intended to replace discussions with your healthcare provider.

Where can I go for help and advice?

Your own healthcare provider should be the first source of information for you about your pregnancy and MS. In addition, there are MS patient advocacy groups where you can seek information from people who may have experience with MS and pregnancy. Your healthcare provider may be able to help you contact a group that is active in your local area.

For the latest Important Safety Information, please refer to the full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide. This is not intended to replace discussions with your healthcare provider.