Asthma Pregnancy
Asthma And Pregnancy
Pregnancy asthma may not seem like a positive combination to an expectant mother.Do not worry if you have asthma and are thinking of becoming pregnant or just found out that you are expecting be rest assured.If you continue to manage your asthma well, there is no reason that asthma in pregnancy will keep you from having a normal and a healthy baby.
But, asthma during pregnancy can cause serious complications for both you and your infant if it is not controlled and managed properly. So, it’s very essential that you take a proactive approach to your asthma during your pregnancy months, so that you and your baby stay healthy.
Can Pregnancy Affect Asthma
Generally,the effect of pregnancy on asthma is unpredictable. Studies have shown that slightly over a third of women will have their asthma symptoms worsen during pregnancy. Another third will stay the same, and slightly under a third of women will actually experience improvement in their asthma in pregnancy and that’s why it’s unpredictable
There is no way to know which one above will happen to you, so the important thing is to work closely with your allergy specialist to keep things under control during asthma and pregnancy.
Asthma experts aren’t sure why some pregnant women’s asthma symptoms get worse. But typically, if things do get worse, it’s during the end of the second trimester(a period of three months, esp. as a division of the duration of pregnancy) or beginning of the third trimester.
The increase in symptoms of asthma and pregnancy could be because as the baby grows, the womb presses on the diaphragm, making breathing more difficult. Or, the compaction in the abdominal area may lead to gastroesophageal reflux or GERD , which can worsen asthma symptoms.Stress may also play a role in asthma and pregnancy.
Experts are not sure why some women feel better with their asthma in pregnancy, either.But experts theorize that it might have to do with an increase in the Hormone Cortisol* that happens during pregnancy.
Hormone Cortisol* – One of several hormones made in the adrenal glands. The primary responsibility of cortisol is to activate the immune system; it also is involved with the metabolism of glucose, and can cause elevation of the blood sugar level.
The good news is that if you’ve been pregnant before, then you probably know what to expect in the future with asthma and pregnancy, because it’s usually the same each time. Also, no matter what happens during your pregnancy, do not worry too much about having a safe delivery or not, as long as you’ve kept your asthma under control. Only about one in ten women have asthma symptoms during labor and delivery based on statistics.
Can Pregnancy Affect Asthma-If Can How
Normally,if asthma is well controlled, it shouldn’t affect your pregnancy. But, if asthma during pregnancy is not kept under control, then high blood pressure and a condition called pre-eclampsia (a condition in which one or more convulsions occur in a pregnant woman suffering from high blood pressure, often followed by coma and posing a threat to the health of mother and baby) could result.
Pre-eclampsia causes fluid retention and leaking of protein into the urine, which can lead to a number of health problems. Although usually the woman will recover after the delivery, her condition could progress to seizures, which can threaten both mom and baby’s lives.
Asthma Can Affect Your Unborn Baby-But How
Again, as long as your asthma is under control, your baby will not be affected by it. However, if your asthma is poorly controlled, you will likely have less oxygen in your blood. And, since your baby receives oxygen from you, this could mean your baby is not getting enough oxygen. Lack of oxygen can affect fetal growth and development, because fetuses require a constant supply of oxygen and nutrients in order to thrive.
By Staying in Control with Asthma-You Can Keep Yourself and Baby Healthy
As you have read that keeping your asthma and pregnancy under control is the key to mother and baby’s health. Since control is a realistic goal for most people with asthma, there is no reason why this should not be possible for most pregnant women too.
Here are the steps you need to take to stay in control of asthma during pregnancy:-
Be in consultation with your doctor to manage your asthma.
A pregnant woman with asthma needs to have regular prenatal care from an obstetrician, starting as soon as you suspect you are pregnant.
The doctor can use ultrasound, fetal heart monitoring and other measures to assess your baby’s health. But you will also need to stay in touch with your allergist or pulmonologist (are concerned with diseases of the lungs and airways and can diagnose and treat asthma), especially if control begins to slip, so that adjustments can quickly be made in your asthma management plan.
Don’t rely only on your obstetrician for asthma management. Ideally, spirometry or at least a peak flow reading should be done monthly. That way, asthma treatment can be stepped up or down as needed.
Keep taking your asthma medication, as well as allergy medication, if prescribed.
The best way to keep asthma and pregnancy under control is to use the asthma medication your medical healthcare provider has prescribed. Studies show that most inhaled asthma medicines, especially inhaled steroids and albuterol, are safe to take during pregnancy,but most medications carry side effects label – Read more and more here about side effects of asthma medications.
Asthma and pregnancy treatment guidelines experts recommend Budesonide, in particular.The guidelines also recommend that pregnant women who have nasal allergy symptoms be treated with an inhaled nasal steroid, because it acts only on the nasal membranes.
If oral antihistamines are preferred, then Claritin or Zyrtec care recommended.Generally,every pregnant women will be worried about the effect medicines can have on their baby.
However, the bottom line is that uncontrolled asthma is much riskier for your baby than asthma and allergy medicines.If you are taking allergy shots when you become pregnant, it is also safe to continue taking them, as long as your allergist monitors the dose carefully to avoid any allergic reactions. Importantly,pregnant women should not start allergy shots during the pregnancy, however.
Above all Keep working to avoid your triggers.
Avoiding your known asthma triggers in your environment is always the excellent way to keep from having asthma attacks or allergy flare ups. Remember that it’s also one of the most challenging ways for most asthma patients. Nevertheless, any progress you make along the way will help with your asthma control and may also mean you’ll need to take less medicine.
The above information are provided by "What Asthma Is" are not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. Please consult your Doctor or health care provider for advice about your specific Asthma medical condition.
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