Clinical Challenges in MS Care: Family Planning, Pregnancy, and Disease-Modifying Therapies
Multiple sclerosis typically affects women of childbearing age and can influence fertility, pregnancy and decisions regarding breastfeeding. Management of a pregnant patient with MS or a patient contemplating pregnancy presents many unique issues and can be quite challenging.
Part One: Clinical Dialogue
- The intent of this Clinical Dialogue, a video-based activity, is to review the most up-to-date evidence on MS, specifically on fertility and pregnancy outcomes, management of MS during pregnancy, the reproductive safety of DMTs, their use when breastfeeding and issues related to postpartum management. We will also address preconception issues, including pregnancy outcomes when it is the male patient who has MS.
Part Two: eCase Challenge
- The eCase Challenge, a text-based activity, will allow the participant to apply the knowledge gained from this Clinical Dialogue in a few real-world clinical scenarios.
Estimated time to complete each part of this activity:
It is important to emphasize that the questions and answers discussed in this program must be individualized to the specific circumstances of each patient and their acceptance of risk.
Target audience
Healthcare professionals, specifically, neurologists, internists, family practice physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, registered nurses and other providers involved in the care of patients with multiple sclerosis.
Learning objectives
- Recognize the importance of providing preconception counseling to all patients of childbearing age in order to reduce reproductive risks
- Apply the most recent evidence concerning the reproductive safety of approved DMTs when counseling patients with MS who are considering pregnancy or those who are pregnant
- Summarize and provide context for the available data (animal and human) concerning the reproductive safety of newer and emerging DMTs
- Assess the available evidence regarding DMTs and male reproductive health in order to effectively communicate their potential risks to male patients with MS
- Discuss the evidence on the safety of DMTs used during lactation, in order to optimize outcomes for patients with MS who breastfeed their infants
- Implement evidence-based treatment strategies to optimize the management of postpartum relapses
Faculty & credentials
Required hardware / software
Processor Speed: 1.4 GHz P3
Memory: 256 MB RAM (20MB available)
Operating Systems Supported: Windows 2000/XP, MAC
Browsers Supported: Internet Explorer 5.5 or greater, Mozilla Firefox and Safari 3.525 or greater
Additional Requirements: Flash player 8.0 or greater, 800x600 Resolution or higher with 32-bit color
Connection Speed: 128 Kbps or better
Adobe Acrobat 6.0 or greater
Available Credit
- 2.00 ANCC
- 2.00 Attendance