Asthma During Pregnancy

Asthma during pregnancy is a risky disease for both the fetus and the mother. Specialists estimate that between 3 and 6% of the world’s population has asthma, making it very common.

Asthma consists of a blockage of the smallest parts of the airways. This obstruction makes it difficult for the body to perform respiratory mechanics, especially when exhaling, and the cause is the inflammation of the small bronchi.

In pregnant women, asthma is the respiratory disease that most often complicates pregnancy, as noted in this study published in the Spanish Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (Spanish link).

According to statistics, between 4 and 7% of pregnant women have complications related to asthma at some stage of pregnancy, although they are very unlikely to appear during labour.

The worst time of pregnancy for asthma is usually between 17 and 24 weeks of pregnancy. This is at the end of the second trimester of pregnancy.

During this period, specialists have noted a remarkable increase in the number of pregnant women seeking help for this problem. On the other hand, the least number of visits for asthma occurs in the last month before delivery.

Consequences of Asthma During Pregnancy

At the mother

If the pregnant woman does not control her asthma well, complications can arise in the health of the mother. The most serious situation is the lack of oxygen.

The oxygen that the mother circulates in her blood she shares with her baby and the drop in her oxygen level will affect both of them. As this study, published in the Asthma Journal (Spanish link), shows, asthma during pregnancy can cause the following in the mother:

• Hyperemesis gravidarum: It is the appearance of intense and prolonged vomiting. It’s not the typical morning sickness of the first trimester. The episodes are frequent and cause weight loss.
• Preeclampsia: This is also known as preeclampsia. It is a syndrome that increases the mother’s blood pressure, causing fluid buildup, edema and loss of protein in the urine (proteinuria).

• Gestational hypertension: This is the increase in tension in the pregnant woman.
• Premature Birth: While it is not common for asthma symptoms to appear during labour, asthma can cause labor to occur too early.

At the baby

Asthma can have consequences for the baby in addition to consequences for the mother. In the baby, asthma during pregnancy can cause the following, among other things:

• Intrauterine Growth Retardation : Constant lack of enough oxygen causes the fetus to grow more slowly, so the baby may be smaller than expected for gestational age.
• Low Birth Weight : Associated with intrauterine growth restriction, it is a baby born without adequate weight at the time of delivery.

• Neonatal hypoxemia: At the time of delivery, the baby may not have enough oxygen, causing him to be born with symptoms of oxygen deprivation. The baby needs intensive neonatal care with external oxygen supplementation.
• Increased perinatal mortality: Uncontrolled asthma during pregnancy increases the risk of the baby’s death.

Medication for Asthma During Pregnancy

During pregnancy, it is important for you and your healthcare professional to determine which medication to use based on your needs. Not all medicines are safe for the mother and baby. Medical advice is therefore essential. For asthma, most drugs have been shown not to be harmful to the pregnant woman.

It is even believed that uncontrolled asthma during pregnancy is more dangerous than the possible adverse effects of the medication the expectant mother may take. This is even emphasized by this article published in the Colombian Journal of Pneumology (Spanish link).

In a number of people with asthma, desensitization injections are used for allergies to reduce episodes of asthmatic crisis. If the pregnant woman started these injections before she became pregnant, she should continue. However, it is contraindicated to start it after the woman is pregnant.

Once the baby is born, there are no problems with breastfeeding. Specialists also encourage women with asthma who are new mothers to continue taking their medication while they are breastfeeding.

How to avoid complications

There are basic steps that women with asthma can take during pregnancy to reduce their risks. This is always accompanied by professional advice and appropriate medication as determined by the doctors.

A basic recommendation is to stay away from cigarettes and their smoke. Smoking makes asthma attacks worse and can cause serious complications in the mother and fetus. Here are some preventive measures to keep in mind:

• Do not smoke: Tobacco complicates and aggravates asthma and increases the risk of congenital syndromes in the fetus.
• Control triggers: Asthma reacts as an acute attack on certain substances that are best avoided. Among them we can mention environments with dust or powder, cigarette smoke and the fur of some animals.
• Respect the checks: Pregnant women with asthma need more intensive check-ups with the doctors than those programmed for a normal high-risk pregnancy.
• Take the medication according to the instructions: According to the medical indication, pregnant women with asthma should respect the medication schedule and the amount. Never self-medicate under these circumstances.

• Pay attention to the warning signs: The doctor will provide the pregnant woman with a list of symptoms that may indicate that she should visit a doctor’s office soon. Those symptoms usually include a lack of air, an intense cough that becomes chronic, and a fever.
• Controlling gastroesophageal reflux disease : It is common for pregnant women to have gastroesophageal reflux disease. The problem is that reflux can make asthma symptoms worse. Pregnant women with asthma should therefore take precautions at home. For example, they need to raise the head of the bed. They should divide the daily meals into smaller portions. They may also delay their usual sleep schedule to wait about 2 or 3 hours after dinner and avoid foods that trigger reflux.

About Asthma During Pregnancy

Asthma during pregnancy carries significant risks for both mother and fetus. Therefore, if a pregnant woman has asthma, it is important to consult a doctor and follow the recommended treatment. It is also advisable to be aware of any symptoms that indicate a complication.