Addison's Disease and Pregnancy

Women dealing with the combination of Addison's disease and pregnancy may experience nausea and vomiting that may interfere with oral medications. If this occurs, the hormore may be admisistered with an injection. For most pregnant women with Addison's disease, pregnancy, labor, and delivery, are uncomplicated -- provided they adhere to their medication regimen.

 

Addison's Disease and Pregnancy: An Overview

Most women with Addison's disease who become pregnant are able to have an uncomplicated pregnancy, labor, and delivery. Pregnant women with Addison's disease require close monitoring and need to take the correct medications -- just like women with Addison's diease who are not pregnant.
 

Treatment for Pregnant Women With Addison's Disease

Women with Addison's disease who become pregnant receive the standard Addison's disease treatment. If nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy interfere with oral medication, injections of the hormone may be necessary.
 
During delivery, women are treated with injections of hydrocortisone and saline. Following delivery, the dose of Addison's disease medications is gradually tapered and the usual maintenance doses of hydrocortisone and fludrocortisone acetate by mouth are reached by about 10 days after childbirth.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD