Ive heard that some babies born to mothers with lupus have a slow heart rate when they are born?
Some mothers have particular antibodies called anti-Ro or anti-La antibodies that may cross the afterbirth (placenta) from week 16 onwards and stick to the “electrical circuits” within the baby’s heart. You will be tested for these antibodies before or when you become pregnant. If you carry these antibodies it means that there is a 1:100 (1%) chance that your baby may develop a slow heart rate in the womb. For this reason the midwife will need to check the baby’s heart rate weekly from week 16. Monthly ultrasound examinations noting the fetal heart rate are also recommended. In the rare event that the baby’s heart is slow, treatment and more close observation will take place under the care of specialist paediatricians even before the baby is born.
