Asthma and Pregnancy

The Basics

Written by the doctors and editors at UpToDate пїЅ пїЅ

What is asthma? " пїЅ Asthma is a lung condition that can make it hard to breathe. It can also cause wheezing (noisy breathing), coughing, or a tight feeling in the chest. пїЅ пїЅ

Do asthma symptoms change during pregnancy? " пїЅ Sometimes. During pregnancy, a womans asthma symptoms can get better, worse, or stay the same. пїЅ пїЅ

How is asthma treated? " пїЅ Asthma is treated with different types of medicines. These can be inhalers, liquids, or pills. Asthma medicines work in different ways. They can: пїЅ пїЅ

Stop symptoms quickly
Control symptoms over time and prevent future symptoms

Your doctor will work with you to make an asthma action plan. This is a list of instructions that tells you which medicines to take and when to take them. It also tells you when to get help or call 9-1-1 for your asthma. пїЅ пїЅ

Are asthma medicines safe to take during pregnancy? " пїЅ Yes. Many asthma medicines are safe to take during pregnancy. If your asthma medicines are not safe to take during pregnancy, your doctor will change them. пїЅ пїЅ

It's important to take all the asthma medicines your doctor prescribes so that your asthma is well-controlled. Having asthma that is not well-controlled can lead to serious health problems for you and your baby. пїЅ пїЅ

Which doctors will take care of me during pregnancy? " пїЅ You might need more than 1 doctor to take care of you during pregnancy. One doctor will take care of your pregnancy. This doctor might also be able to take care of your asthma. If not, you will see another doctor who can take care of your asthma. пїЅ пїЅ

Will I have tests during pregnancy? " пїЅ Yes. Your doctor or nurse will probably do a breathing test to check how your lungs are working. He or she might also recommend that you use a "peak flow meter " пїЅ at home. A peak flow meter is a device that you breathe into that can show how well your lungs are working. пїЅ пїЅ

Your doctor will also do different tests to check your baby's health. These include blood tests and an imaging test called an ultrasound. Imaging tests create pictures of the inside of the body. пїЅ пїЅ

What else can I do to prevent asthma symptoms during pregnancy? " пїЅ To help prevent asthma symptoms, you can: пїЅ пїЅ

Avoid your asthma triggers " пїЅ Triggers are things that cause asthma symptoms or make symptoms worse. Common triggers are dust, mold, dogs, cats, pollen, plants, and cigarette smoke.
Stop smoking, and avoid being near people who smoke
Get a flu shot " пїЅ A flu shot can help keep you from getting the flu. Getting the flu can cause asthma symptoms to get worse.

Will my baby be healthy? " пїЅ If your asthma is well-controlled during pregnancy, chances are good that it will not hurt your baby. пїЅ пїЅ

Can I breastfeed if I have asthma? " пїЅ If you have asthma, it can be especially healthy to breastfeed your baby. That's because babies who breastfeed have a lower chance of having episodes of wheezing during their first 2 years. пїЅ пїЅ

If you plan to breastfeed your baby, let your doctor or nurse know. He or she will make sure that your asthma medicines are safe to take if you breastfeed. пїЅ пїЅ

All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete. пїЅ пїЅ

This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Nov 04, 2014. пїЅ пїЅ

Topic 16119 Version 3.0 пїЅ пїЅ

Release: 22.8 - C22.208 пїЅ пїЅ

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Asthma and Pregnancy

The Basics

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

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