Asthma How will my asthma be affected during pregnancy?

There are many pregnant women that suffer from asthma. Some women will find that their asthma gets better or stays the same and others will experience a worsening in their asthma symptoms during pregnancy. Most women that have asthma will experience some degree of asthmatic symptoms that seem to be worse around 24-36 weeks.

During an asthma attack, it is normal to wheeze, cough and breathe hard. You might find it hard to catch your breath and your supply of oxygen will decrease. Because your baby depends on you for oxygen, it is very important to minimize the amount of asthma attacks you experience. When your body lacks oxygen, it is very dangerous and can cause damage to your developing baby.

Women that suffer from extreme asthma attacks during their pregnancy are at an increased risk of having a baby that is born prematurely, stillborn or underweight. If the asthma is not controlled and attacks are frequent, a fetus can die from the lack of oxygen. Fortunately, asthma can be controlled during pregnancy. You should advise your doctor of your asthma symptoms. Do not stop taking your medications unless you have been told to do so by your doctor or midwife. Most healthcare providers agree that the risk to the developing baby from asthma medications is small when compared to the risk that a severe asthma attack could cause. Your doctor can provide a list of the medications that are safe and unsafe to take during pregnancy.

Your asthma triggers will remain the same as they were prior to pregnancy. However, you may have milder symptoms or more severe symptoms. Common symptoms of asthma are the flu, common cold, bronchitis, cigarette smoke, wood fire smoke, GERD, stress and becoming very upset, food allergies, exercise, dry air, pet dander, sprays, perfumes and allergic reactions to irritants or cleaners. While the best way to prevent an attack is to avoid exposing yourself to asthma triggers, an asthma attack can occur even if you are careful. If you are experiencing chest tightness or shortness of breath, you should go to the nearest emergency room. Your healthcare provider will give you oxygen and medications that are safe for you and your developing baby.

Comments: Asthma

Comments 1 to 24 of about 49.
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kelim - 2 days ago.
i have been told that i dont need to use my reliever, but i should use my preventer every day, but i dont.

Vanessa77 - 3 days ago.
Looks like my asthma is getting worse with the pregnancy, LAME! I know oxygen is the most important, but I hate knowing that albuterol is pumping into my baby's bod too! But what can you do.. which is worse.. steroids or fast-acting inhaler? All my life docs have told me to prevent is better.. but what is the difference between a steroid puffer every day and ventolin/albuterol (also every day)?

fdstripled - 17 days ago.
I am an asmatic whos asma is very bad right now. I have been using Ipratroprium Bromide in the neb when needed. I have Advire but will not use it because I am so affraid it will harm the baby. I will be calling my Dr tomarrow to get a safe maintaince med. I am almost 5wks. preg. I guess I shoul calll my Ob as well. This is my 3rd pregnancy with my new hub. I lost the last 2 at 8 and 6 wks. I'm am soooooooo scared I will lose another. Could my astma be causing the losses even though my o2 is above 95% during an attack?

vsmall - 22 days ago.
I have heard that pregnancy can upset asthma. I have read that many of the meds to treat it should be ok to use. I take several medications for this and I have been scared. I also do know that I must keep up my oxygen levels. I have had a few attacks and I am only 5.5 weeks. I will ask my doc this week at my u/s check up on this. I was prepared to ask earlier, but they did not want to see me until the u/s.

Wolf Spirit - 28 days ago.
I feel better knowing there are others who have Asthma and are preggo. I am now 14 weeks and went to the dr yesterday. I have bronchitis. I was sick for 4 weeks with a cold during the first trimester and has to beat it on my own. Then for about 2 weeks i was recovering and getting better. Then low and behold a week ago i started coughing. It was getting worse and worse. Saturday night almost landed me a trip to the ER. We were able to get things under control again but asthma attacks are the worse. I can't think of a worse feeling than not being able to breathe. Now this time I am far along enough to take antibiotics but i seriously can't wait for the coughing to stop. last night i coughed literally from 10:30 to 3:30 and nothing helped. it's hard to heal when you immune system is shot and your exhausted..

irskamaminka - 50 days ago.
Hi Starby, I have asthma too. My Dr mentioned something really helpful to me when I was fretting about using my inhaler: the baby can get calcium from your bones and nutrients from your body, but you don't have extra oxygen. Therefore, an inhaler is really helping to ensure that your baby gets all he or she needs. :-)

DebDer - 51 days ago.
Starby, I have had asthma since I was 12. A lot of the inhalers make you feel anxious/ shakey. That is normal but you could talk to your Dr. maybe there is a different inhaler that wont have this effect on you. But, it is very important to keep your asthma under control for yourself and your baby!

ktfantas - 55 days ago.
Starby- I have been taking symbicort for years now including 22weeks of pregnancy. If I stop I will get very bad asthma. I was advised to keep taking the medication as it is the only one I have used with the best affect. If Ido stop it will have a lot worst impact with myself and therefor including my baby not getting enough oxygen and well........ Don't feel bad because you must give your baby sufficent oxygen and you are following drs advice. Good luck!!!!!!

starby - 55 days ago.
Hi ladies! I was just diagnosed with asthma in my 7th month of pregnancy...they've put me on Symbicort and Rhinocort...anyone have experience with these? I really hate taking things like this when I'm pregnant though I know its important for me to get enough oxygen to my baby...I felt really dizzy and anxious after using the symbicort inhaler this morning and I dont know if thats okay for the baby :(

DebDer - 55 days ago.
I am 8 weeks pregnant. My dr. is concerned that I am taking Advair for my asthma. Everything I have read says it is really bad if your asthma is uncontroled when pregnant and I can't find anything that says Advair is bad. I am worried that if I stop taking it my asthma will get very bad. ANyone else talked to their Dr. about this?

Cmcconnell - 61 days ago.
I was just in the ER for 6 hours with shortness of breath it was pure hell, i had an IV in me, x-ray, EKG, blood work, and ultra sound. I left at 430am still not knowing answers, they were worried b/c blood clots go hand and hand with shortness of breath. Im 25 weeks and i just want him out so both him and i can breath normally. :-(

misz-cashis-oct08 - 64 days ago.
i have asthma as well. it actually hasnt been too bad recently. but im worried about how its going to be once spring and summer starts because i get allergies that trigger my asthma. plus im scared about how im gonna be breathing once i get bigger! well hopefully everything will be just fine and go0d luck to all u other ladies! =]

flickmonkey - 70 days ago.
hey im anotherone like you ladies and have had asthma since well they were allowed to diognose me with it. all my life my asthma has been up and down depending on the weather etc ive had times where my asthma is so much better during this pregnancy but as its gone on further its god alot worse mainly things like climbing stairs etc trigger it off, i was just wondering if there are any new mum sout there that found birth more difficult cos there asthma playing up. Thats what im most worried about it having an asthma attack whilst in labour.

amber325 - 71 days ago.
I have had asthma since I was little. And now that I am 11 weeks pregnant, it is 100% worse then it ever was! I get an asthma attack from brushing my teeth! What the hecK!! I am using my inhaler only b/c I want my baby to breathe! Hope it eases up some, b/c I am not even big yet!

babyboythistime - 71 days ago.
hi! i am nearly 38 weeks and will have a planned c-section. i just came out from the hospital because my asthma was exacerbated. i wanted to find out if there's anyone out there who is known asthmatic, had c-section recently and did not have any breathing problems whilst on the table. thanks :-)

Tori(a.k.a. Tinkerbell) - 72 days ago.
ok..i still keep having to use my inhaler..i get out of breath so easy,it's annoying n the daddy thinks it's funny...o well it's just cause he doesn't have any of the symptoms/stuff i have to go through.

las - 74 days ago.
Tinkerbell. use your inhaler its safe. If you dont breath good while preg it will interfear with your babies growth.. I used my inhalers all 3 pregnancies.

las - 74 days ago.
Pregnancy can make asthma worse. Mine got really bad when preg with my daughter. Im 14+wks with twins now and my Asthma seems ok this time around.

beany1 - 84 days ago.
im eleven wks and have asthma. the last few weeks i am finding i am getting very sob when i just walk upstairs or downstairs and when walking. i dont get wheezy like my normal asthma so wonder whether this is just normal pregnancy sob or whether my asthma is infact getting worse?? can anyone advise?

Tori(a.k.a. Tinkerbell) - 84 days ago.
i had asthma since i was a little girl.i'm early in my pregnancy but i've had to use my inhaler...the midwife on call told me it's safe for me b/c i'm past 12 weeks...but then why had my regular people i see have told me not to?

clarejustin - 84 days ago.
so can you be disgnosed with asthma when you are pregnant. i'm only at 22 weeks but at times find it very hard to breath..having to sit or lay down and breath very heavy until i catch my breath. usually feel very dizzy right before. i've never had asthma before so don't really know what to look for.

lizzie61804 - 89 days ago.
had asthma when i was 3 my daughter has it and now i'm almost 20 weeks and ws just doagnosed with it again and given an inhaler .. whats up with that

misz-cashis-oct08 - 92 days ago.
i hate my asthma! it hasnt seemed to change yet but i am only 6 weeks. so0 im not expecting it to until much later. well go0d luck all u asthma mommies! hang in there! x0*

Layla - 107 days ago.
Hi all, I am in the same boat, 27 weeks preg. and asthmatic. I find that when I am pregnant, my asthma gets much worse. Unfortunately, I have to take pulmicort, singulair and proventil as needed. I know that some of you are nervous to take meds but this is my 2nd pregnancy and it is much better to be on meds and have your asthma under control than having the baby in distress. Hope you all feel well!

lauras1stbaby - 115 days ago.
I have asthma. I take pulmicort everyday and albuterol as needed. I hate having to take meds. It makes me so nervous.


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