Sickle Cell Disease Pregnancy and Sickle Cell Disease

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Sickle cell disease can raise your risk of problems during pregnancy. If you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy, meet with a healthcare provider who specializes in high-risk pregnancies and has experience with patients who have sickle cell disease.

Your provider may prescribe certain vitamins and will be careful to prescribe pain medicines that are safe for you and your baby. You should not use hydroxyurea during pregnancy.

You may need to have one or more blood transfusions during pregnancy to treat problems, such as anemia symptoms that get worse. You may also experience more pain crises or be at higher risk of having acute chest syndrome. Your provider will talk to you about how to help prevent these complications.