Box 1.

Preconception Counseling: The Checklist

Ask the One Key Question: “Do you plan to get pregnant in the next year?” Discuss birth control with patients who do not desire pregnancy Ensure SLE disease control for at least 6 months (if still with moderate to severe disease, delay pregnancy and discuss birth control) Evaluate if the patient on pregnancy compatible medications Evaluate for the presence of anti-Ro/SSA, anti-La/SSB antibodies, or antiphospholipid antibodies and the lupus anticoagulant Assess if comorbidities are controlled (eg, diabetes, hypertension, renal disease) Assemble a team (eg, maternal fetal medicine, rheumatologist, neonatologist/pediatric cardiologist, and nephrologist, if applicable)