Pregnancy Signs & Symptoms, Week by Week Pregnancy Guide

Asthma is a disease of the airways of lungs that would limit the flow of air to the lung tissues.

Usually Asthma leads to shortness of breathe, wheezing and cough.

Generally, Asthma can be tolerated well by any pregnant woman and has less impact on the developing baby.

But severe Asthma attacks can greatly lower the amount of oxygen in the blood. If the attacks are frequent and prolonged, the growth of the baby would be slow, smaller than usual and the brain might even swell for a lifetime.

The medications you are taking for Asthma control can not damage the developing baby.

If you are suffering from severe Asthma during pregnancy, it would be wise and best to consult a doctor because severe attacks are dangerous and requires rapid medical attention.

Asthma attack is very rare at the time of labor. You can use inhalers to control the Asthma attack. If you want to use oral steroids, it is suggested to use intravenous steroids.

Uncontrollable Asthma can lead to high blood pressure, pre-eclampsia, excessive vomiting during early pregnancy and labor that does not occur naturally.

Also, there are some risks to the developing baby with uncontrolled Asthma such as death of the fetus just after the birth, low birth weight, preterm birth, and intrauterine growth retardation.

Controlling Asthma during pregnancy:

• If you are a smoker, stop smoking immediately because smoking triggers an Asthma attack. Second hand smoke can flip the situation from bad to worst.
• Avoid the things that you are allergic to.
• Act to the events of cold, flu and other infections as soon as possible.
• Avoid the triggers like exercise, pet dander, and whatever that would activate Asthma.
• Keep your home clean from contaminants and irritants.
• Avoid any animals with fur.
• You should carefully monitor the lung function throughout the pregnancy to ensure that the developing fetus receives enough oxygen.