Pregnancy and Asthma

Having asthma during pregnancy can risk you and your baby’s health. You should know how to prevent and have medication safely. As you may know, asthma is the chronic condition of the lung. When you're pregnant, asthma has effect for your health and the baby’s. Here are some information you need to know about pregnancy and asthma.

Why you should be concern about asthma during pregnancy?

If you treat your asthma and control it very well during pregnancy, then the risk of the complications will be only a little and even there will be no risk. On contrary, if you control your asthma poorly during pregnancy, the risks of getting many problems are increasing. The risks can be severe morning sickness,complicated labor, vaginal bleeding, premature birth, restricted fetal growth,low birth weight and pregnancy complication such as high blood pressure which can be dangerous to other organ like kidneys. In more extreme risk, asthma can endanger the baby’s life.

Can pregnancy worsen asthma?

Asthma has four main categories starting from the least until the most severe. Pregnancy can make asthma becomes worse, get better or even remain the same. The research recommends that asthma complications during pregnancy have something to do asthma complications to pregnancy. Symptoms can cause asthma more severe and even become worse. However, if asthma is getting better then the improvement will gradually in the pregnancy growth. If asthma worsens, the symptoms tend to increase and you will consider it during week 29 until week 36 of the pregnancy. There's the possibility that some women have worse asthma symptoms and signs in their late pregnancy. Normally, it's because they stop to take the medication soon after they are pregnant. The changes in taking the medication certainly will affect your asthma will be worsened.

Is it safe to take asthma medication during pregnancy?

Many people understand that taking medication during pregnancy can influence the baby. The concerns are mostly about the use of systemic glucocorticoids along pregnancy. The use of those medications can be connected with the risk of the infant oral cleft, low birth weight, premature birth and preeclampsia. Those risks can be increased. But, mostly, asthma medications can be consumed safely during pregnancy. Moreover, it's better to still take asthma medications than to get asthma symptoms or its attack during the pregnancy. When you can get problem in breathing, then your baby may not get enough oxygen as well. If you need asthma medication to treat the symptoms when you're pregnant, ask the health care to give you the safest prescription for your medication. They will prescribe you the most suitable dosage. Consume the prescription of the medication. Don’t stop or adjust by yourself. The health care must control your asthma and they will depend on the medication type based on your symptoms. You can visit the health care on the prenatal of your pregnancy. For some considerations, you can consult with your family doctor or even the specialist of asthma during the pregnancy. If you start to have allergy shot before you're pregnant, you can maintain the shot throughout the pregnancy. Actually, having allergy shots isn't recommended for pregnant women. It can make the allergic reaction become dangerous. It's called anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis throughout pregnancy can be very dangerous for the baby and mother.

Will I need special tests?

When you control your asthma poorly or you get better from severe asthma, your health care may suggest you to take the ultrasounds beginning in week 32 of the pregnancy. It's to see the activity and growth of your baby. If your asthma symptoms are continuously worse, the health care may suggest having electronic fetal monitoring. It's also called biophysical profile. It's the test of prenatal to see the baby’s well being. It's the combination of two tests which are the fetal heart rate and fetal ultrasound. Throughout the profile, the health care monitor the baby’s breathing, heart rate, movements, amniotic fluid level and muscle tone. You will be recommended to pay attention more on your baby’s activity.

What should I do to prepare for pregnancy?

Make schedule or visit your health care that will help you during the pregnancy. They can be your family doctor, pulmonologist, allergist or other health care team. They will monitor and check how well you can manage your asthma. Then they will recommend the treatment you will have before the pregnancy. It's because, for some cases, asthma symptoms can be increased during pregnancy.

What can I do to prevent complications?

The best way is you should take care of yourself so that you can take care of the baby. Here are some ways.

Have your prenatal appointments frequently.

Go to your health care frequently during the pregnancy. You can ask questions or tell your concerns. Keeping informed can relieve you because being anxiety can lead to asthma.

Take your medication based on the prescription. If you're doubtful with your medication, visit your health care and tell your concerns.

Avoid and control triggers.

Stay away from the smoke and other irritants such as pollen, mold, animal dander and dust. If your asthma triggers are physical activity, ask your health care to suggest treatment to ease the symptoms.

Control gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

GERD is the digestive disease which can make the asthma will be worse. If you have GERD, decrease the symptoms by putting your head more elevated of your bed, eating small portions of meal, waiting about three hours before sleeping after you eat and avoiding some foods which can cause heartburn.

Know the limits.

If you're a smoker, consult with your health care to assist you quit. Absolutely,asthma can be worsened by smoking and it's not good for your baby as well.

Realize warning signs.

Learn the sign and symptoms of your asthma. You should know if your asthma is worse. The signs and symptoms are chest tightness, coughing, wheezing or shortness of breath. Consult with your health care about home treatments and when you should need medical help.