When it comes to respiratory disorders, asthma is among the most common. The health of both you and your unborn child may be adversely affected by asthma during pregnancy. Consider the following information on asthma and pregnancy.
Why is asthma during pregnancy a concern?
With well-controlled asthma, pregnant women are less likely to suffer from asthma-related complications. The following health problems may be more common in expectant mothers who have asthma that is either severe or poorly controlled:
- Maternal hypertension and evidence of injury to another organ system, most often the kidneys, are symptoms of a complication of pregnancy (preeclampsia)
- The fetus’s growth is restricted.
- Babies born too early
- The need of a caesarean section
Can pregnancy make asthma worse?
There are four levels of severity for asthma, ranging from the mildest to the most severe. There is some evidence to show that the severity of asthma during pregnancy is correlated to the severity of asthma before pregnancy, despite the fact that asthma severity may increase, improve, or stay stable throughout pregnancy. People with severe asthma are more prone to have worsening symptoms.
As the pregnancy proceeds, the improvement in asthma tends to be gradual. In the first and third trimesters of pregnancy, women with asthma are most likely to have an aggravation of their condition.
Pregnant women who stop taking their asthma treatments may have more severe signs and symptoms of asthma in the beginning of their pregnancy. The severity of your asthma may be affected by any changes you make to your drug regimen.
Is it safe to take asthma medication during pregnancy?
Pregnancy medications, no matter how safe they seem on the surface, come with a number of side effects. Systemic glucocorticoids, a class of steroids, have sparked some debate as to whether or not they should be used during pregnancy. Preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, low birth weight, and adrenal issues have been associated to them. Pregnant women, on the other hand, may safely take most asthma treatments.
Taking asthma drugs while pregnant is more safer than having asthma symptoms or having an asthma attack. Your baby’s oxygen supply may be compromised if you are experiencing difficulty breathing.
You should expect your doctor to give the safest and most suitable dose of medicine for pregnant women with asthma. Do what the doctor tells you to do. Take the drug as prescribed and don’t change the dose on your own. Asthma management may be monitored during prenatal visits depending on the sort of medicine you’re taking and your symptoms. Other times, you may need to see a doctor or an asthma expert during your pregnancy if you have asthma.
Can I take allergy shots during pregnancy?
You may continue allergy injections throughout pregnancy if you began them before you became pregnant. It’s not a good idea to start an allergy injection regimen while you’re pregnant. Anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic response, may be caused by allergy injections, particularly in the early stages of treatment. Pregnancy-induced anaphylaxis has the potential to be lethal for both the mother and the unborn child.
Will I need special tests?
If your asthma is moderate to severe or poorly managed, or if you’ve just recovered from a severe asthma attack, your doctor may prescribe a series of ultrasounds to track the development and activity of your unborn child beginning around week 32 of your pregnancy.
Your doctor may also advise you to keep an eye on your baby’s activity level.
What should I do to prepare for pregnancy?
Asthma patients should meet with their prenatal care provider and an asthma specialist in addition to their primary care physician and any other doctors who may be involved in their treatment during pregnancy. Asthma specialists will examine your current medication regimen and determine whether you need to alter it before you become pregnant, if necessary. Your doctor will keep a careful eye on your asthma since it’s possible that symptoms can worsen when you’re pregnant.
What can I do to prevent complications?
Taking good care of yourself is the best way to take care of your baby. For example:
- Keep your prenatal appointments Throughout your pregnancy, be sure to see your doctor on a frequent basis. Feel free to ask any questions or express any worries you have.
- Take your medication as prescribed Consult your doctor if you have any questions regarding the meds you’re taking.
- Don’t smoke Ask your doctor for assistance in quitting smoking if you are a smoker. If you have asthma, smoking may aggravate it, and if you’re pregnant, smoking can harm both you and your baby.
- Avoid and control triggers Avoid inhaling irritants like smoke and dust, as well as animal dander and other allergens.
- Control gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) Asthma may be exacerbated by GERD, a chronic digestive disorder that produces acid reflux and discomfort. Elevating the head of your bed, eating smaller meals, waiting at least three hours after a meal before going to sleep, and avoiding foods that cause heartburn may help alleviate symptoms of GERD.
- Recognize warning signs Coughing, chest tightness, breathlessness, and wheezing are all early warning signs that your asthma is growing worse. Home remedies and when to seek medical attention should be discussed with your health care practitioner.
What about labor and delivery?
During labour and delivery, the majority of women do not suffer any significant symptoms of severe asthma. During labour and delivery, if you are taking asthma medication, continue to do so.
Will I be able to breast-feed my baby?
Even if you are taking medicine for your asthma, you should still breastfeed your baby.
Will my baby have asthma?
Having a mother who smoked while pregnant and having a parent or sibling with asthma are both considered to raise a person’s risk of acquiring asthma. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your baby’s health, don’t hesitate to ask your paediatrician.
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Does asthma affect the baby during pregnancy?
Reduced oxygen levels in the blood due to asthma attacks during pregnancy reduces the amount of oxygen delivered to the foetus. Having a high risk of preterm delivery, low birth weight, and poor development put the child at greater danger.
How do you manage asthma in pregnancy?
Using budesonide (an inhaled corticosteroid) and albuterol (a short-acting Beta 2-agonist) during pregnancy is recommended by the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP). Pregnant women with asthma should not use oral corticosteroids as a daily asthma medication.
What triggers asthma during pregnancy?
Asthma-suffering women may have a variety of side effects during pregnancy. The nose, sinuses, and lungs may all be affected by the hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy. During the third trimester, a rise in oestrogen produces congestion, which results in a runny nose.
