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HSE National Clinical Guideline

National Clinical Guideline for Management of Rheumatic Diseases in the Preconception, Antenatal and Postnatal periods


Topic: Management of rheumatic diseases in preconception, antenatal and postnatal periods
Document Owner: National Clinical Lead for Guideline Development in Maternity and Gynaecology Services, National Women and Infants Health Programme (NWIHP)
National Group: Guideline Development Programme, National Women and Infants Health Programme
Effective From: 31/10/2023
This Guideline aims to provide evidence-based recommendations for the care of women with rheumatic diseases during preconception, antenatal and postpartum periods as well as promote a standardised approach nationally across all general practice, rheumatology, and obstetrics departments.
National Clinical Guideline for Management of Rheumatic Diseases in the Preconception, Antenatal and Postnatal periods
PDF, 2.2MB

This National Clinical Practice Guideline provides an evidence-based framework for the management of inflammatory rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases before, during and after pregnancy.

It addresses pre-conception risk stratification, optimisation of disease activity, medication safety and multidisciplinary counselling.

Recommendations encompass maternal and fetal surveillance, assessment of disease activity, obstetric planning, breastfeeding, contraception and postnatal care, aiming to minimise maternal disease flares and adverse pregnancy outcomes through coordinated rheumatology, obstetric and pharmacy input.

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