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Reproductive Information
Parenting with MS
Psychosocial Considerations for People with MS 
Planning a pregnancy can be stressful for all couples. When one parent has MS, there are some extra considerations to discuss:
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The ability of the parent with MS to physically care for a child now and in the future.
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The importance of financial planning in the event of function-impairing relapse, especially for the primary income earner of the couple.
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The caregiver burden on the unaffected parent who may be required to earn an income, take on extra household tasks and care for their partner and child.
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Couples should be encouraged to accept help from families and friends and to hire extra help as needed and as their situation permits.
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Review the importance of flexibility and creativity in parenting strategies, energy conservation and planning for the future.
Short Term Considerations
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Pregnancy, childbirth and infancy is an exciting but exhausting time. Prospective parents should conserve energy where possible and accept help as much as they can.
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Plans should be put in place for financial security and insurance policies.
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Couples should be encouraged to openly discuss worries, fears, and plans to lay a solid foundation for good communication.
Long Term Considerations
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Raising a child is a lifelong commitment. Prospective parents should consider their parenting goals and plan ahead to achieve them. This may take some flexibility when MS is involved.
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Fatigue and MS symptoms may interfere with parenting roles. Encourage parents to seek creative solutions such as trading services with other parents, reducing hours at work or finding manageable activities that can be enjoyed with the child.
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Concentrate on what you can do.
Additional reading:
1. Patient Educ Couns. 2008 Apr;71(1):108-15. Epub 2007 Dec 21.
The motherhood choice: a decision aid for women with multiple sclerosis. Prunty MC, Sharpe L, Butow P, Fulcher G
2. New England Journal of Medicine. 339, 285-291. Rate of pregnancy-related relapse in multiple sclerosis Confavreux, C., Hutchinson, M., Hours, M. M., Cortinovis-Tourniaire, P., & Moreau, T. (1998).
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