Asthma and Pregnancy

Parenting Australia

Pregnancy & Birth

Health

0 Votes

Discovering that you are pregnant is normally a time of great joy and anticipation. But if you have asthma and need to take regular preventer medication it can also be a time of great angst and worry. So much is written about the need to stop taking medication when you are pregnant but one important word is usually forgotten – “unnecessary”. That is, avoid taking unnecessary medication. Asthma is a chronic health condition that needs to be treated. Being pregnant does not alter the need to treat asthma; in fact it makes it all the more important to have good asthma control to ensure the best outcome for both mother and baby. If your asthma is well controlled your baby will have a good oxygen supply and be able to grow properly.

What you need to know

If you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy it’s important that you:

Do not stop taking your asthma medications, as you will be at higher risk of having a serious asthma attack; if you have concerns about the safety of a particular medication discuss these with your doctor. Most asthma medications are safe to take during pregnancy.

Ensure you have regular asthma reviews during pregnancy and a written asthma action plan for your pregnancy – that way you will know how to recognise and treat worsening symptoms. Tell your doctor if your asthma symptoms change.

Avoid triggers and other things that make your asthma worse.

Avoid smoking and inhaling other people’s smoke. This will reduce the risk of your baby having asthma, respiratory infections or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

Asthma control is important

Many women will experience a change in their asthma when they are pregnant, with 55% of women having an acute asthma attack during pregnancy. Asthma control with preventer medication is important during pregnancy as asthma can worsen at any time during a pregnancy, especially between 17 and 36 weeks. Therefore, it is important that you monitor your asthma symptoms carefully, use a written asthma action plan and see your doctor if your symptoms get worse. If your asthma does get worse during pregnancy, it usually returns to normal within three months after delivery.

Good asthma control reduces risks

The aim of good asthma control during pregnancy is to avoid a poor outcome for your baby which includes low birth weight, premature delivery and avoid a lack of oxygen to the baby. All of these problems can have an effect not only on the health of your baby but also on the baby’s long-term health. The good news is that if your asthma is well controlled your risk of these problems occurring is no higher than for women without asthma.

The other good news is that asthma attacks are rare during labour and you can therefore plan for your preferred delivery. However you should talk to your midwife and/or obstetrician about your asthma as they may need to talk to the doctor who is managing your asthma.

Should I still breastfeed?

Breastfeeding is recommended as it may lower the risk of asthma in early childhood, especially in children with a family history of allergy. There is conflicting evidence about the protection offered as children get older, but aside from that, there are many other benefits to breastfeeding.

So… if you are pregnant and you do have asthma, be reassured and most importantly enjoy the experience!

Asthma Foundation NSW

For further information visit the Asthma Foundation NSW website at www.asthmansw.org.au
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Ph: 1800 645 130

Sources
Asthma Foundation NSW, Healthy pregnancy for women with asthma: An information paper for health professionals, 2006.
Asthma Foundation NSW, Asthma and Healthy pregnancy, What you need to know to stay well, 2006.

___________________________________

Is your asthma well managed?

Do you ...

wake in the night coughing or wheezing?
get breathless or wheezy during the day?
need to take your blue reliever puffer more than 3 times per week?
find asthma limits your physical activity and exercise?

If you answered yes to any of the above, your asthma may not be as well controlled as it could be.

Join Asthma Assist

Get a free Asthma Control Pack, when you join 'Asthma Assist', our free information service.

You'll also be subscribed to our bi-montly e-newsletter 'onAIR', full of great articles, helpful tips, updates on research and lots of other useful info to help you manage your asthma better.