Graves disease is a condition that causes hyperthyroidism and is a metabolic illness that can affect pregnancy.
Hyperthyroidism means there is an overactive thyroid gland that can have detrimental effects on both the mother and the baby.
It would be good to know that it is not the pregnancy that causes the disease but rather a disease that is common in women whether pregnant or not.
The effect of Graves disease on pregnancy can be any one of the following: miscarriage, decreased rate of intrauterine growth and premature birth.
Hypertension in pregnancy can also occur making the mother more at risk for heart diseases. The bad thing about this is that the disease will not only affect the mother but also the baby.
The child may also develop hyper-/hypothyroidism later in life that could affect his/her intelligence, physical and emotional development if not treated.
What is important in experiencing Graves diseases during pregnancy is to recognize the disease as soon as possible and immediate treatment by a doctor is done.
Anti-thyroid drugs are usually given to pregnant patients especially during the period of the first trimester.
Drugs of choice are usually those that has the least risk of causing birth defects.
After anti-thyroid drug therapy and the mother either shows severe negative reactions, needs higher doses to control the disease or the disease is uncontrollable despite the treatment being given, surgery is usually recommended.
This is usually done during the second trimester when it is unlikely to endanger both mother and baby.
Therefore, it should not be something to be excessively worried about.
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