[Pregnancy and multiple sclerosis]

Abstract

Because multiple sclerosis is a disease that affects young women, the question of pregnancy frequently arises early in the management of the disease. Although the relapse rate decreases during the nine months of pregnancy, it rises significantly during the first trimester post-partum, affecting one third of patients. Pregnancy has no influence on disability progression. Patients have no particular difficulties during pregnancy, labor or delivery. No significant fetal risk has been reported. Neither breast-feeding nor epidural analgesia is deleterious. Disease-modifying treatment must be stopped before conception.