Connective tissue diseases and breast implants

In 1995 a New England Journal of Medicine publication citing a study by harvard Medical School entitled “Silicone breast implants and the risk of connective-tissue diseases and symptoms” concluded that in a large study of over 87,000 women, over a time period from 1976 to 1990, taking into consideration different implant types (including saline, double-lumen and silicone) that there was no association between silicone breast implants and connective tissue diseases.

Silicone breast Disease – American College of Rheumatology statement

According to a statement issued in 1995, there was no demonstrable risk between silicone implants and connective tissue disease OR rheumatic disease. However, other studies have shown that there is a small by statistically significant risk of developing a connective tissue disorder with silicone breast implants.

More about Silicone breast disease:

http://www.bmj.com/content/316/7129/403.extract
http://www.breastimplantanswers.com/expert_ctd.html

Nursing / Breast feeding with silicone implants

Depending on the size of the breast implant it may make it more difficult to breast feed. According to Patricia Lieberman, where she references the Institute of Medicine, any type of breast surgery or breast implant surgery, makes it 3 times more likely that a breast feeding woman will not have enough milk supply. Patricia references another study by Dr. Sarah Strom, in which was consistent with other studies in finding that women with implants are more likely to have problems nursing.

Related pregnancy topics:
list of early pregnancy symptoms
pregnancy breasts

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease. If you suffer from SLE it is important to seek pre-conception advice. Although research indicates that if the disease is in remission pregnancy outcomes are good, SLE can sometimes result in:

• Pre-term labour
• Low-birth weight
• Congenital heart block

If you suffer from SLE you will need to have combined antenatal care with your physician and obstetrician and you should have an early antenatal assessment and ultrasound scan. The frequency of your antenatal check-ups will depend on the severity of your condition. The control and treatment of SLE ranges from simple analgesics such as paracetamol, to stronger medication such as corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs.

If you suffer from any complications such as pre-eclampsia or renal problems your labour may be induced early or your obstetrician may recommend an elective caesarean section.

Following delivery of your baby you should rest as much as possible as tiredness and stress can worsen your condition. You will be closely monitored for 24-48 hours after your baby is born and your baby will have a thorough examination by a paediatrician.

If you suffer from a long-term renal problem it is important that you seek pre conception advice before becoming pregnant. A pregnant woman with pre-existing renal disease is considered to be at high risk of developing pre-eclampsia, hypertension, pre-term delivery and her baby may be small-for-dates. The added strain put on renal function during pregnancy may also cause your renal condition to deteriorate.

If you have renal disease your care will be combined by your obstetrician and nephrologist. A hospital delivery is essential. The outcome of your pregnancy will depend on the severity of your renal disease, the stability of your blood pressure and prevention of kidney infections.

The aim of your care in pregnancy is to prevent any deterioration in your kidney function. Therefore, you will need to attend for antenatal visits more often. Renal function tests will be performed at intervals throughout your pregnancy and your blood pressure will be monitored carefully.

You will require admission to hospital if your kidney function deteriorates, your blood pressure increases or if there are any problems with your baby.

If your pregnancy progresses with no complications, your labour may be induced at 38 weeks.

There is advice out there about what you might do to prepare for pregnancy but you should really consider visiting a doctor AND lean on someone close to you for support. If you have someone in your corner who is genuinly concerned about you as a person then they will be supportive and help you make changes to your lifestyle. Some advice you may get in preparing for pregnancy will more than likely be about your ideal pre pregnancy weight, how much you exercise, X-rays during pregnancy, the dangers of smoking, avoiding drugs and alcohol, what vaccinations you should have before becoming pregnant and so on.

In preparing for pregnancy, if you visit a doctor in advance, then he or she will give you an understanding of what you should be doing, what not to do and very importantly figure out what tests you might need based on your family history etc. so that it may be possible to avoid pregnancy complications. There are medical problems you might have and you might not be aware of how they play a role during pregnancy.

Also, the doctor is another person to lean on and many are genuinely supportive before, during and after pregnancy. Not only that but having a good doctor who knows your medical history is an important part of a successful pregnancy. Its a doctors job to help you and many doctors have a vocation to be a doctor and will be more understanding and supportive than you may think.

More information on preparing for pregnancy
http://www.childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ck=10293
http://www.pregnancytoday.com/topics/preparing-for-pregnancy/