Pregnancy is an incredible journey, but for those of us with asthma, it can add some extra challenges. With symptoms like shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing, managing asthma becomes crucial during this time. Studies show that 45% of pregnant women seek medical help for their asthma symptoms. But with the right asthma action plan, you can navigate pregnancy safely.
In this blog, we'll explore how pregnancy affects asthma and share effective management strategies tailored for expecting moms. Let's ensure a smooth and healthy journey for you and your baby.
Pregnancy impacts your asthma due to the various changes that your body undergoes, such as:
Due to the increased oestrogen hormone levels, you may experience sinus, nasal, or lung congestion resulting in a runny nose, especially, during the third trimester. Also, due to increased progesterone production, you may feel shortness of breath during your pregnancy.
Asthma, if controlled, poses minimal pregnancy-related risks. However, if unmanaged, it can be a significant risk factor during your pregnancy. You experience breathing difficulties which impact the oxygen supply in your bloodstream that the developing foetus needs. It may lead to pregnancy complications including high blood pressure, toxaemia, premature delivery, low foetal birth weight, and in some cases, though rare, foetal death.
Other impacts of pregnancy on asthma include:
Consulting your physician and having an asthma action plan for symptom management during your pregnancy term is important. They may provide several effective strategies as part of your asthma management, which include:
Certain factors or stimuli cause an aggravation of your symptoms or increase the intensity of airflow blockage in the airways, leading to an asthma attack or flare-up. Avoiding the things that trigger your asthma symptoms helps reduce the likelihood of having a flare-up. The triggers may include:
Also, getting adequate immunity with a flu shot or COVID-19 vaccine, both safe for pregnant women and babies, helps to protect yourself from several viral infections that are asthma triggers.
Asthma medication plays an important role in asthma management during pregnancy. However, you must consult your doctor before taking any medicine, including your current medication, once your pregnancy is confirmed. Depending on the severity of your symptoms and the intensity and frequency of your attacks, your doctor will prescribe medicines that are:
Asthma medications for you may include inhalers, bronchodilators, and oral drugs. However, inhaled medications are preferred during pregnancy due to their more targeted impact and also because a smaller amount of the drug enters the blood. They are considered safe even during breastfeeding post-delivery. They include:
You must regularly take your prescribed medicines throughout pregnancy or as recommended by your doctor, as the symptoms may worsen if you stop taking them, causing higher risks to your and foetal health.
Monitoring your condition regularly for optimum asthma symptom management benefits both your and foetal health. Your doctor will:
They may also perform a peak flow measurement test that measures the air flowing out of your lungs when you forcefully exhale. It detects the narrowing of the airways before an asthma attack and is a highly effective preventive measure.
A written asthma action plan your doctor creates for you is critical to asthma management during pregnancy. It outlines the steps to take during a flare-up or things to do during an emergency. It contains a list of your:
Having a list can save precious time and help you get the required care without delay in an emergency.
Besides keeping you in optimum overall health, adopting a healthy lifestyle reduces your risks of asthma flare-ups. It also helps reduce your dependence on medications for relief from symptoms. You can enjoy a healthy pregnancy while managing your asthma with the following:
Asthma is a common condition among pregnant women that can be efficiently managed with specific, effective strategies, causing minimal impacts on you and your baby. However, without adequate asthma care, you can endanger your health and foetal safety. So, you must consult your doctor as soon as possible to devise a strategy that works best for you based on your unique health condition.
Experience unparalleled asthma care at Ashraya Hospital, Pune's top multi-specialty facility. Our experts offer personalised treatment, including for pregnant women. Contact us today for the best asthma care in Pune.
