This sheet is about having phenylketonuria (PKU) in a pregnancy or while breastfeeding. This information should not take the place of medical care and advice from your healthcare providers. What is PKU? PKU stands for phenylketonuria, an inherited condition where the body cannot break down an amino acid called phenylalanine, or Phe for short. Phe is commonly found in food. Since people with PKU cannot properly digest Phe, it can build up in the body. This build up can lead to problems …
The Baby Blog: Mom's Health Conditions
Anxiety
This sheet talks about anxiety in a pregnancy and while breastfeeding. This information should not take the place of medical care and advice from your healthcare provider. What is anxiety? Anxiety is excessive and uncontrollable worry. It is common to worry about your pregnancy or your baby’s health. Worry becomes an anxiety disorder when the worrying thoughts are frequent, time-consuming, intrusive and irrational. Intrusive thoughts are unwelcome thoughts or images that are upsetting. …
Ankylosing Spondylitis
This sheet is about having ankylosing spondylitis during a pregnancy or while breastfeeding. This information should not take the place of medical care and advice from your healthcare provider. What is ankylosing spondylitis? Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a kind of arthritis that mostly affects the spine. Arthritis is a general term for inflammation or swelling of the joints in the body. Symptoms of AS can include swelling, stiffness, and pain. Sometimes, advanced AS can lead …
Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis
This sheet talks about having psoriasis and / or psoriatic arthritis in a pregnancy or while breastfeeding. This information should not take the place of medical care and advice from your healthcare provider. What is psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis? Psoriasis is a skin condition in which skin cells grow faster than usual. This can leave dry, thick patches on the skin. Plaque psoriasis is the most common form of this condition. It usually affects skin on the elbows, knees, buttocks and …
Multiple Sclerosis
This sheet talks about having multiple sclerosis in a pregnancy or while breastfeeding. This information should not take the place of medical care and advice from your healthcare provider. What is multiple sclerosis? Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a condition which involves nerve damage that interferes with how the brain communicates with the rest of the body. Because the nerve damage can happen in any part of the brain or spinal cord, the symptoms of MS can vary. Some of the symptoms of MS …
