Research ArticleOriginal Article
Open Access

Motherhood and pregnancy concerns of Saudi females with multiple sclerosis in Riyadh city: A quantitative analysis

Abdullah S. Alshehri, May H. AlQahtani, Hana A. AlZuabi, Waad S. Alshahrani, Halah O. Alamawi, Aseel A. Almandeel, Faisal A. Al-Suwaidan and Ahmed Saleh
Neurosciences Journal April 2025, 30 (2) 150-156; DOI: https://doi.org/10.17712/nsj.2025.2.20230122

Article Figures & Data

Tables

  • Table 1

    - Demographics data (n=176).

    VariablesN (%)
    Age
    18-29 years52 (29.5)
    30-39 years83 (47.2)
    40-49 years36 (20.5)
    50 or older5 (2.8)
    Nationality
    Saudi165 (93.7)
    non-Saudi11 (6.3)
    Education
    No educational degree2 (1.1)
    school39 (22.2)
    university114 (64.8)
    postgraduate21 (11.9)
    Job
    student29 (16.5)
    healthcare worker15 (8.5)
    non healthcare worker43 (24.4)
    housewife89 (50.6)
    Income
    enough76 (43.2)
    enough and save35(19.9)
    not enough43(24.4)
    not enough and debt22 (12.5)
    Social status
    single78 (44.3)
    married98 (55.7)
    Number of children
    077 (43.8)
    1-250 (28.4)
    3-432 (18.2)
    5 or more17(9.7)
  • Table 2

    - Disease course among patients (n=176).

    VariablesN (%)
    Severity of the disease
    Mild46 (26.1)
    Moderate108 (61.4)
    Severe22 (12.5)
    Age onset of the disease
    12< years old13 (7.4)
    12-18 years old39 (22.2)
    18 > years old124 (70.5)
    Hospitalization
    Yes137 (77.8)
    No39 (22.2)
    Number of hospitalizations
    1-597 (55.1)
    6-1022 (12.5)
    11-158 (4.5)
    >1510 (5.7)
    Family history of MS
    Yes37 (21)
    No139 (79)
    Most common experienced Multiple sclerosis symptoms
    SymptomN (%)
    Fatigue150 (85.2)
    Visual problems129 (73.3)
    Numbness and tingling138 (78.4)
    Muscle problems (spasm, stiffness, weakness)113 (64.2)
    Mobility69 (39.2)
    Pain95 (54)
    Thinking, learning and planning problems77 (43.8)
    Depression and Anxiety113 (64.2)
    Sexual problems41 (23.3)
    Bladder problems93 (52.8)
    Bowel problems57 (32.4)
    Speech and swallowing problems43 (24.4)
  • Table 3

    - Prenatal Concerns regarding effects of MS medication.

    Concerns regarding effects of MS medicationsStrongly agreeAgreeNeutral n (%)Strongly disagreeDisagree
    I am concerned that my medications will interrupt my menstruation.16 (9.1)45 (25.6)49 (27.8)38 (21.6)28 (15.9)
    I am concerned that my medications will cause early menopause.14 (8)37 (21)64 (36.4)34 (19.3)27 (15.3)
    I am concerned that my medications are not safe on my fetus when I’m pregnant.57 (32.4)45 (25.6)44 (25)15 (8.5)15 (8.5)
    I am concerned that my medication will affect my relationship with my husband.32 (18.2)35 (19.9)55 (31.3)29 (16.5)25 (14.2)
  • Table 4

    - Antenatal concerns regarding pregnancy with MS.

    Concerns regarding pregnancy with MSStrongly agreeAgreeNeutral n (%)Strongly disagreeDisagree
    I am concerned that MS could lead to infertility?20 (11.4)38 (21.6)69 (39.2)31 (17.6)18 (10.2)
    I am concerned about increasing complication risk during pregnancy due to MS, like bleeding.24 (13.6)39 (22.2)65 (36.9)29 (16.5)19 (10.8)
    I am concerned that MS can increase risk of intrauterine fetal death.16 (9.1)36 (20.5)61 (34.7)36 (20.5)27 (15.3)
    I am concerned I could not be able to take care of myself during pregnancy due to my illness.44 (25)48 (27.3)45 (25.6)25 (13.6)15 (8.5)
    I am concerned about increasing the attacks during pregnancy.23 (13.1)34 (19.3)57 (32.4)33 (18.8)29 (16.5)
    I am concerned that pregnancy will lead to disabilities.34 (19.3)35 (19.9)50 (28.4)29 (16.5)28 (15.9)
    I am concerned that MS could lead to Premature labor.22 (12.5)29 (16.5)70 (39.8)33 (18.8)22 (12.5)
    I tried to avoid conception due to MS or medication of MS?52 (29.5)41 (23.3)37 (21)20 (11.4)26 (14.8)
    Concerns regarding delivery and birth
    Am concerned that labor pain will be worse as in my case.29 (16.5)43(24.4)57(32.4)31 (17.6)16 (9.1)
    I am concerned that giving me the back needle (epidural needle) may worsen my health condition.31(17.6)39 (22.2)60(34.1)25(14.2)21(11.9)
    I am concerned that I will only have the choice of cesarean section to deliver my child.25 (14.2)37 (21)63 (35.8)26 (14.8)25 (14.2)
    I am concerned that normal delivery may negatively affect and worsen my health condition in the future.33(18.8)33 (18.8)54 (30.7)32 (18.2)24 (13.6)
    I am concerned that I will suffer from the attacks of the disease during the delivery.35(19.9)40(22.7)48(27.3)32(18.2)21(11.9)
    I am concerned about the occurrence of delivery’s complications such as bleeding.16 (9.1)25 (14.2)80(45.5)32(18.2)23(13.1)
    Due to my concerns, having an integrated medical team (obstetrician, neuro-physiotherapist) beside me during childbirth reduce my anxiety?61 (34.7)39 (22.2)50 (28.4)12 (6.8)14(8.0)
  • Table 5

    - Postnatal concerns.

    ConcernsStrongly agreeAgreeNeutral n (%)Strongly disagreeDisagree
    Physical and psychological worries of MS patients regarding pregnancy.
    I am concerned that my condition will affect my infant breastfeeding practices.41(23.3)51 (29)50 (28.4)22 (12.5)12 (6.8)
    I am concerned that MS drugs affect breastmilk.49 (27.8)63 (35.8)45 (25.6)11 (6.3)8 (4.5)
    I am concerned about experiencing MS relapse during your postpartum period.58 (33)53 (30.1)46 (26.1)13 (7.4)6 (3.4)
    I am concerned I might experience postpartum blues/sadness/depression due to my illness.67 (38.1)47 (26.7)40 (22.7)11 (6.6)11(6.3)
    Physical and psychological worries of MS patients regarding pregnancy.
    Inability to prepare food to the child.36 (20.5)53 (30.1)49 (27.8)21 (11.9)17 (9.7)
    Inability to provide hygienic environment to the child.28 (15.9)53 (30.1)45 (25.6)33 (18.8)17 (9.7)
    Inability to take the child to the park with him/her.33 (18.8)48 (27.3)45 (25.6)32 (18.2)18 (10.2)
    Inability to help the child with his/her homework.35 (19.9)48 (27.3)48 (27.3)28 (15.9)17 (9.7)
    Inability to provide social and emotional support to the child.29 (16.5)38 (21.6)46 (26.1)42 (23.9)21 (11.9)
    Inability to nurse the child when he/she is sick.31 (17.6)49 (27.8)39 (22.2)36 (20.5)21 (11.9)
    Inability to provide support to the marital needs.41 (23.3)41 (23.3)45 (25.6)26 (14.8)23 (13.1)
  • Table 6

    - Association between concerns and level of perceived social support.

    FactorsLevel of perceived social supportP-value
    LowMediumHigh
    I am concerned that my medications are not safe on my foetus when I’m pregnant
    Strongly agree10 (50)26 (36.6)21 (25.3)0.117
    Agree7 (35)15 (20.5)23 (27.7)
    Neutral3 (15)20 (27.4)21 (25.3)
    Strongly disagree0 (0)8 (11)7 (8.4)
    Disagree0 (0)4 (5.5)11 (13.3)
    I am concerned I could not be able to take care of myself during pregnancy due to my illness
    Strongly agree11 (55)18 (24.7)15 (18.1)<0.001*
    Agree7 (35)14 (19.2)27 (32.5)
    Neutral1 (5)28 (38.4)16 (19.3)
    Strongly disagree1 (5)10 (13.7)13 (15.7)
    Disagree0 (0)3 (4.1)12 (14.5)
    I am concerned that I will suffer from the attacks of the disease during the delivery
    Strongly agree8 (40)14 (19.2)13 (15.7)0.065
    Agree6 (30)14 (19.2)20 (24.1)
    Neutral4 (20)25 (34.2)19 (22.9)
    Strongly disagree2 (10)14 (19.2)16 (19.3)
    Disagree0 (0)6 (8.2)15 (18.1
    I am concerned I might experience postpartum blues/sadness/depression due to my illness
    Strongly agree12 (60)28 (35.6)29 (34.9)0.138
    Agree6 (30)19 (26)22 (26.5)
    Neutral2 (1020 (27.4)18 (21.7)
    Strongly disagree0 (0)6 (8.2)5 (6)
    Disagree0 (0)2 (2.7)9 (10.8)
    I ‘m concerned that I wouldn’t be able to prepare food to my child
    Strongly agree8 (40)15 (20.5)13 (15.7)0.037*
    Agree8 (40)21 (28.8)24 (28.9)
    Neutral4 (20)25 (34.2)20 (24.1)
    Strongly disagree0 (0)6 (8.2)15 (18.1)
    Disagree0 (0)6 (8.2)11 (13.3)

    • ↵* Pearson χ2 test: p<0.05 is considered significant

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