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 15 of about 15.
1

MelCar - 19 days ago.
I'm asthmatic. Was in the hospital with my first pregnancy and now in again with my second. I'm one of the 'rare' cases in which asthma is worse during pregancy... which I think it's because I'm always pregnant around cold and flu season. I took numerous asthma meds with my first, and now with my second. My first baby turned out fine, my second looks as he's just as healthy. For other asthmatics... see you OB along with your lung doc!! Very important. If anyone ever has questions for me, just send me a message.

nic4charles - 22 days ago.
I have asthma which was very bad as a child and as I got older it got better. During 1st pregnancy it was still mild. However I am now 9 weeks pregnant and my asthma has been terrible. I was on symbicort and when i got pregnant doc switched me back to pro air/albuterol (sp?) which is what I was on during 1st preg. But i find myself constantly needed the inhaler. It's terrible, I just wish that I could breath better!

Cheeky Dee - 91 days ago.
I have asthma that flares up with the change in the seasons but already (im only 13 weeks) iv had a viral infection and a cold!! Great :( all brought on/enhancing my asthma symptoms! I hope this gets better and not worse as i get bigger :(

mommy2b-dec16 - 123 days ago.
i have excersied induced asthma and i haven't really had a problem with my asthma. the only times i struggle is going up the stairs to my apartment..which i dont lokk forward to when im 9 months pregnant... :)

serriefairy - 236 days ago.
im a severe asthmatic in my 11week pregnancy..i have found it has worsened....i was in hops last week with asthma!!! - scary to know i still have a while to go and prob more asthma atatcks. im staying positive though, my local maternity ward will not let me delivere baby there because of my asthma, i have to travlel to a big city hosp..which sux

fdstripled - 239 days ago.
those with astma, how many medications did you take during pregnancy. I am still TTC and I am terrified because of all the meds I take to control my astma.

Sas-Jd - 249 days ago.
My astma hasn't been to bad but it has gone worse than what it was. I can control my astma fine apart form having to wake up to hardly breathing my sprays do calm it back down. I hope others having bad astma works out fine! Xx

Kjaysgurl - 250 days ago.
my asthma has been horrible! I have exercised induced asthma to begin with and it's been so long since i've had an attack that i didn't even know that was the problem! I just thought that since i'm having twins that they're taking up more lung room. well finally it got to the point where it was so hard to breath and i felt dizzy. i called the ob and they said to go to a walk in (seemed weird to me) but they diagnossed it as asthma brought on by pregnancy so now i'm on nebulizer treatments at least 3 times a day. it does help so i can breath but i'm so shakey after that i still feel really dizzy.

meshia - 289 days ago.
My asthma hasn't been to bad. I have only had to use my inhaler very little. I'm impressed.

shellshocked - 289 days ago.
Pregnancy exacerbated my very mild asthma. I couldn't breathe through my nose (I've had the sniffles ever since the first trimester) and I couldn't breathe through my mouth either. I finally had to go get an inhaler at around week 27. I just hope I didn't do any harm to my baby boy by being stubborn and wanting no meds during pregnancy.

erin b - 294 days ago.
I have asthma-have always had it. It got so bad when I was about 17 weeks I actually landed myself in the hospital for three days. Pregnancy definately makes it worse if you don't keep on top of it!

misz-cashis-april09 - 294 days ago.
i have asthma but its not bad. i am just getting ovr a cold it made my asthma flare up so bad!! even my inhaler wasnt helping that much. but thank god im over it for the most part. asthma is annoyingg

amypp - 294 days ago.
yes i am having the same problem with the stairs

amanda72385 - 295 days ago.
i'm not pregnant anymore but i've had asthma my whole life, the pregnancy never caused me any asthma problems though except when i had to go up and down stairs cause the extra weight from the baby wore me out.

amypp - 295 days ago.
any pregnant women with asthma ?