Women who have severe asthma may notice their condition flaring up during pregnancy, says David M. Priver, MD, FACOG. (Fortunately, women with mild asthma may actually notice their symptoms improving while they gestate.) Also note that hormonal changes in pregnancy can cause nasal congestion and shortness of breath that can be confused with asthma.
According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, although asthma affects up to 8 percent of women of childbearing age, when it’s kept under control it is not associated with significant risk to mom or baby. On the other hand, left untreated, asthma can lead to serious complications including high blood pressure, toxemia, premature delivery and, in rare cases, death. If you suffer from asthma, the first line of defense is avoiding known triggers (which can include pollen, mold and animal dander as well as exercise and stress, among other things). As far as medication goes, the ACAAI insists that most measures commonly used to control asthma aren’t harmful for your developing fetus. You’ll want to discuss your specific medication with your doctor. Your OB-GYN should be aware of all medications you are taking.
Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.
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