The effects of pregnancy in multiple sclerosis: a retrospective study.

We reviewed the medical records of 178 women with multiple sclerosis to evaluate the number of completed pregnancies, current disability status, and relationship of pregnancy to onset of MS symptoms. We found no differences in the long-term disability of women with no pregnancies, one pregnancy, or two or more pregnancies. Women who had initial symptom onset in pregnancy experienced less subsequent disability than women whose symptoms began before or after pregnancy. Therefore, pregnancy per se or number of pregnancies has no effect on subsequent disability.