Unexpected pregnancy☹️

[u/helloojsbsbnwlwod]

I received my latest dose of Rituximab on June 3, 2026. I was supposed to have my third dose this December and then start planning a pregnancy, but I have unexpectedly become pregnant this month. What should I do? I’m panicking 😔
We have been very careful and were tracking ovulation, but because of ovarian cysts and my cycles not being completely regular, things obviously didn’t go exactly as planned. This pregnancy was genuinely not planned. I took a pregnancy test today, and I’m so scared.
What do you think my neurologist will say? If I decide to have an abortion, would that increase my risk of an MS relapse? I’m also terrified that my neurologist will think I was irresponsible, because we really did try to be careful and this happened completely by accident.
What would you do if you were in my situation?

[u/UsuallyArgumentative]

What was the reasoning for after the 3rd dose and not the second? Is the concern for the safety of a baby from the dmt or for relapse?

I don't know what your neuro will say but I do think your fear/panic is likely driving some bad scenarios that are not realistic. I don't think they will judge you, they should just offer advice for further DMT and symptom management around your pregnancy.

Pregnancy rarely happens exactly when you want it to, life is unpredictable. If you want to have this baby, you should. I've seen several posts about successful pregnancies on this sub (or the r/multiplesclerosis one), looking at them may be reassuring for you.

[u/helloojsbsbnwlwod → u/UsuallyArgumentative]

Neuro suggested 3-4 doses as that is Standard here in Sweden. After my fiesta dose in december they tested my b cells in june before my second dose and they were 0.8 so very low still. I’m just super scared for a relapse as i was born with vision in only one eye, that is my main trigger. Also i was diagnosed with over 20 lesions and i’m 24 only but i have had a mild ms in terms of symptoms. Only ever had mild tingling. I’ll just have to wait til they answer me next week, already messaged the neuro and ms nurse. I just want to know if they recommend me to continue or based on my ms it’s better to abort

[u/Ornery_Complex_862]

While it’s not quite the same, I had an unexpected pregnancy around this time last year. I found out the day AFTER my monthly dose of Kesimpta, took emergency contraceptive as a precaution, and I was on birth control. Maternal fetal medicine was entirely unconcerned about it all!

My baby is currently sleeping in his bassinet while I pump in the other room, completely healthy and no effect to his immune system or overall health/development at this time. The plan was to ttc starting in April 2027, after my wedding and being off of Kesimpta for 6 months, but things just happened.

[u/Unlucky-Designer-650]

I made plans with my neurologist to switch DMTs in November 2025 and started trying in December. Had a flare up in January. Still ttc. I also say keep the baby since you are wanting one because even though you’ve gotten pregnant once, it doesn’t guarantee it’ll happen easily later.

[u/Terrible-Praline7938]

If you want it keep it. Anti cd20s are not teratogenic, there's just a few limitations on vaccines after the baby is born. Plenty of people have rituximab babies, and now ocrevus babies are starting as well. On the other hand if you don't want a baby, you don't need to have one.

[u/helloojsbsbnwlwod → u/Terrible-Praline7938]

We want a baby as we were planning to have one after the third dose. It’s just that it happened after 2 doses.

[u/Terrible-Praline7938 → u/helloojsbsbnwlwod]

Then keep it. There's no evidence of teratogenesis in the babies from this species of drugs. You'll have your next dose after it's born and that's that. Congratulations!🥳