Starting a Family

Living with Ankylosing Spondylitis

AS does not prevent people from starting or growing a family, but planning ahead, with the help of your doctor, is crucial.¹

In the initial stages of planning, you will likely be questioning the effects of having AS on fertility. AS itself should have no impact, with pregnancy outcomes in women with AS comparable to the general population.¹

As with the symptoms of AS outside of pregnancy, during pregnancy, everyone's experiences are different. Some women report that their symptoms improve whilst others find they worsen.¹ Either way, you will have regular medical appointments throughout the process of starting a family and can gain advice on how to manage your changing symptoms.

Infographic titled "During pregnancy" with icons and three medical safety tips:

NSAIDs should be avoided in the 3rd trimester (illustrated with a pack of pills and warning symbol).

Live vaccines cannot be given alongside biologics (shown with a syringe and vaccine vial).

Stop anti-TNF therapies late in pregnancy (represented by a graphic of bacteria or cells in a petri dish).

Regular medical appointments are used to plan your pregnancy with AS. You will work with rheumatology and obstetric teams in these appointments to create a personalised pregnancy and postpartum care plan. This plan may include essential medication changes, as some are not advised for use during pregnancy.¹

References

Planning for a family and pregnancy– NASS. Available at: https://nass.co.uk/managing-my-as/living-with-as/pregnancy/. Last accessed April 2025.