Table 4.

Illustrative example of posts related to each main topic and subtopic.

Topic		Illustrative text extracted from individual posts
Sharing experiences on MSa medications
	Stopping medication	“...I don't plan on taking anything [during] this pregnancy either.”
	Switching treatment	“...I took Copaxone throughout my pregnancy and breastfeeding and then started Tecfidera...”
	Taking medication	“...I took Copaxone throughout my pregnancy and breastfeeding under the direction of my neuro [sic]....”
MS disease status
	No relapse	“...I had no issues with my MS during my pregnancy...”
	Relapse in pregnancy	“...I have very active MS had 2 relapses in 29 weeks journey. Have been on copaxone [sic] throughout and short steroids course twice...”
	Postpartum relapse	“...I didn't start flaring up until my son was over 6 months old. I've been in [sic] Tysabri since...!”
Seeking and giving advice
	Seeking advice	“...I am 8 weeks pregnant and was taking my gilenya [sic] during those 8 weeks meaning the baby will be exposed to it for 2 additional months Has anyone dealt with a pregnancy like this? The doctors have such limited information.”
	Giving advice	“...MS patients are advicesd [sic] to come off their meds when trying for a baby. my understanding is that Copaxone and the interferons are perfectly ok to take until a positive pregnancy test. I'm a little bitter because I got the same advice and suffered a disabling relapse as a result. Copaxone especially is probably fine to take even during pregnancy (though now that I have finally found luck, I have chosen to stay off during pregnancy and restart after birth and yes I will be breastfeeding). Good luck.”
Breastfeeding		“...My neuro [sic] recommended a 3-day steroid infusion treatment. I had to pump and dump [sic] the whole time and for 24 hours following the last infusion...”
Express uncertainty or concerns		“...I just found out I am unexpectedly pregnant and conceived while in gilenya [sic]. Everything everyone has been telling us has made us to start thinking about terminating the pregnancy, which I really badly do not want to do. But if this child is any kind of danger I don't want to risk that. I just want someone to tell me it will be okay. I just don't know if that's realistic...”
Communication with HCPsb
	Good communication	“...I have been on Tysabri! I talked to neuro [sic] and she completely calmed my nerves! She just had me stop all meds for now then we'll switch to Copaxone after birth...”
	Bad communication	“...My neurologist never mentioned anything, and said I can just start taking Gilenya after I give birth. She said attacks are more common after birth but didn't suggest anything to prevent them...”

^aMS: multiple sclerosis.

^bHCP: health care professional.