For patients

Nurse-led reproductive rheumatology

nurse-led clinic, clinical nurse specialist, nurse navigator

Are you a clinician? See the clinical version of this page.

The short versionMany specialist pregnancy and rheumatic disease clinics are run with a specialist nurse at the centre of the team. The nurse coordinates your care, gives you time for questions and education, and keeps things joined up between your rheumatologist, your pregnancy team, and you.

How this model works

What a nurse-led clinic does

A specialist nurse coordinates your appointments, teaches you about your condition and medicines, checks in through pregnancy and afterwards, and connects you to the rest of the team.

What the evidence shows

People cared for in these clinics report high satisfaction, and the extra support helps with staying on the right medicines and with breastfeeding. In the same clinic, women became pregnant sooner than in an earlier group, and the team thought the counselling and planning contributed to that, not the medicines alone.

Across the pregnancy journey

The nurse supports you before pregnancy, through each trimester, and after birth, so nothing falls through the cracks.

One model among several

Different clinics organise this coordinating role differently. Some use specialist nurses, others use advanced-practice therapists or nurse practitioners. What matters is that someone holds it all together.

iThis page helps you prepare a conversation with your care team. It does not replace individual medical advice. Always confirm your own plan with your rheumatology and pregnancy team.