OBJECTIVE: to compare the obstetric prognosis before and after the onset of 
rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
METHODS: a survey in RA women patients who become sexually active before disease 
onset, and who tried or got pregnant after diagnosis was performed. Obstetrical 
features such as: number of pregnancies, threat of abortion, abortion, early 
natal death, congenital abnormalities and preeclampsia-eclampsia syndrome, 
before and after RA onset were compared.
RESULTS: only 47 women were eligible (age: 40.5 ± 11.0 years; time of evolution: 
15.9 ± 11.5 years; positive rheumatoid factor: 93.6 %) from 700 screened. After 
RA onset there were 63 gestations in 36 patients who got pregnant (secondary 
infertility rate: 21.3 %). A significant increase in frequency and number of 
cesarean deliveries, besides a higher number of pregnancies with preeclampsia, 
were found after RA onset. Additionally, four newborns with congenital anomalies 
were reported after the disease onset compared to none before RA onset.
CONCLUSIONS: compared to pre-RA obstetric events, a higher frequency and number 
of adverse outcomes was found in pregnancies that occurred after RA onset.