Ep 112: Planning For Pregnancy With An AiArthritis Disease
AiArthritis Voices 360 Main, Full Episode 112
Air Date: August 3rd 2025
This episode is a step 5, as outlined in our 6 Step Patient-Led Problem Solving Process.
In this follow-up episode, AiArthritis Health Education Manager Leila reflects on her personal pregnancy journey with lupus and Sjögren’s, while sharing key fertility and pregnancy insights from EULAR 2024.
She highlights emerging research and clinical recommendations on preconception planning, navigating medication decisions, and coordinating care between rheumatologists and high-risk OB-GYNs. Leila also offers practical tips based on her own experience from managing disease activity during pregnancy to advocating for your needs throughout the journey.
Join us on this episode if you’re actively planning for a family or simply want to understand how AiArthritis diseases can impact fertility and pregnancy.
Episode Highlights:
- Hear EULAR 2024 updates on fertility and pregnancy
- Learn what current guidelines say about safe medications for conception, pregnancy, and breastfeeding
- Understand the importance of low disease activity before and during pregnancy
- Hear Leila’s firsthand story of managing pregnancy with lupus and Sjögren’s
- Discover why early conversations with rheumatologists matter even if you’re not trying to conceive yet
- Explore the emotional and mental health side of pregnancy with chronic illness
- Get tips for building a supportive care team including maternal-fetal medicine specialists
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AiArthritis Voices 360 is produced by the International Foundation for Autoimmune and Autoinflammatory Arthritis. Visit us on the web at
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Todos nuestros episodios principales del primer domingo de cada mes son un episodio inicial para "poner el tema sobre la mesa". (Paso 2 del proceso de resolución de problemas de 6 pasos de nuestra organización) o un episodio de "revisión de la mesa" (Paso 6 en el proceso de 6 pasos de nuestra organización)donde nos basamos en un programa anterior porque hemos avanzado en el desarrollo de ayuda, herramientas o proyectos en torno al tema. (Paso 5 del proceso de 6 pasos de nuestra organización).
Tras la emisión de cada programa, ampliamos la conversación a numerosos debates en diversos formatos, a los que ahora llamamos #360its.
Your Co-Hosts: Who is at the Table this Episode?
Leila P.L. Valete, Health Education Manager
Leila P.L. Valete is the Health Education Manager at the International Foundation for AiArthritis. She is a person living with Lupus & Sjögren's. She is passionate about inclusion and diversity in health education and meeting individuals where they are at in order to learn in a way that resonates with them. Leila is on social media as @Lupus.Lifestyle.Lei sharing bits and pieces about her life with lupus and connecting with others.
Pull up your seat at the table
Now it's YOUR TURN to join the conversation!
What do you think about this episode?
We want to know what you think! By continuing the conversation with your opinions and perspectives - we all get a better understanding of the problems facing our community. Better yet, through these conversations we can start working and developing solutions.
We mean it when say 360. Not only do we want your input anytime and anywhere, but we also are eager to see where the conversation will take us. So please, "pull up a seat at the table" and let's start talking!
Email us at podcast@aiarthritis.org, message us on social media (find us by searching for @IFAiArthritis)
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