Asthma and Pregnancy

The American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology estimates that almost 7 percent of women in their childbearing years have asthma. During pregnancy, complications of asthma can cause:

• High blood pressure
• Toxemia
• Premature delivery

For babies, complications from the mother's asthma can include:

• Risk of stillbirth
• Retarded growth
• Premature birth
• Low birth weight
• Low Apgar score (a rating that assesses heart rate, respiration, muscle tone, skin color, and response to stimuli at birth)

Effect of pregnancy on asthma
How pregnancy affects asthma is different for every woman. There's no way to predict whether asthma will worsen, improve or stay the same.

• If asthma gets worse, it's usually during the late second or early third trimester.
• Asthma rarely complicates labor and delivery if it's controlled during pregnancy.

Taking medication
With good medication management, most pregnant women with asthma do well. Studies show that the risks to mother and baby posed by uncontrolled asthma are greater than the risk to your baby when you take medication you need.

• Inhaled medications are best, since less medication enters the bloodstream.
• Limit use of medication during the first trimester (when the baby is forming) as much as possible.
• Continue with allergy shots, but the dosage should be monitored to reduce risk of allergic reaction. Allergy shots should not be started during pregnancy.
• Avoid oral medications (pills) unless necessary.

Avoiding triggers
Another way to keep asthma under control is to steer clear of things that trigger it.

• Keep allergy-causing pets out of the bedroom.
• Seal all bedding in dust mite-proof casings.
• Wash bedding weekly in water at 130^o F. Dry clean comforters periodically.
• Keep indoor humidity under 50 percent.
• Use a filtering vacuum cleaner or filter vacuum bags to control dust in the air.
• Use air-conditioning. Try to stay indoors in the morning, when pollen and pollution levels outside are highest.
• Limit exposure to chemical fumes and tobacco smoke.

Stay in touch with your doctor
Every woman's asthma is different, and treatments will vary. It's important to see your doctor regularly to monitor your condition and change your medications and/or dosages if needed. Asthma that is under control need not be a serious health risk to you or your baby.