Pregnancy Asthma Does Not
Have To Be A Problem

Many women with pregnancy asthma have questions about possible problems. Any women with this medical issue should know that it does not have to keep her from having a healthy baby.

Pregnant sufferers of this respiratory illness who have it well controlled should not experience any more complications than women who do not have it.

Although there is no cure, pregnancy asthma is an illness that can be successfully treated if it is properly managed.

What Is Pregnancy Asthma?

Although there is no cure, pregnancy asthma is an illness that can be successfully treated if it is properly managed.

Asthma is a chronic lung disease that affects the airways of the lungs and consequently breathing.

Symptoms include wheezing, chronic coughing, and shortness of breath.

The Risks Of Pregnancy And Asthma

Pregnancy asthma can be dangerous. There is a great threat to a mother and child if asthma is not identified and placed under control. Besides breathing problems, complications can happen that will threaten the health of mother and baby.

While it is possible to get asthma under control during pregnancy, it is far better to do so even before becoming pregnant.

If you are expecting, it is important for you to be carefully monitored so that neither you nor your baby is deprived of essential oxygen.

Just like regular asthma, this breathing issue during pregnancy is a challenging one. It can be triggered by many substances such as smoke, pollen, perfumes, mold, and cleaning chemicals. If you know your triggers and monitor symptoms, you can avoid many problems before they begin.

Don’t Worry About Asthma If You Are Pregnant

During your prenatal period, asthma does not need to cause anxiety. Most women have symptom-free nine months.

Whether it is medical or all natural, you should remember that pregnancy asthma can be managed with the right treatment plan. And this increases your chance of having a normal and healthy pregnancy. 

The ultimate goals for expecting mothers are to properly manage asthma and 

keep it under control. This involves identifying the symptoms of asthma and avoiding allergens that can trigger an attack. It should also include starting a medical treatment plan to immediately treat symptoms.

Asthma Management Is The Key To A Symptom-Free Pregnancy

If you have asthma, it is always advisable to see your doctor if you are planning to have a baby so that your symptoms can be closely monitored. If it is necessary, your medications and treatments may need to be adjusted.

Pregnancy asthma does not have to cause problems but you should have the guidance of your doctor. This will ensure that you and your baby is well taken care of.

There should be no fear in becoming pregnant if your symptoms are under control. Carefully consider how well your asthma is managed before getting pregnant. If it is not well managed, work with your doctor to ensure a healthy and successful pregnancy.

Dangerous Symptoms To Watch For While You Are Expecting

Every expecting mother is different and the symptoms will vary with each pregnancy. About one third of expecting mothers will have improvement in their condition, one-third will get worse symptoms, and the following third will have no change.

The major symptoms to watch for are wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath. But the dangerous ones include gasping for air, changes in skin color, and tightness in the chest. On a daily basis, you will have to evaluate your breathing and if you are getting enough air.

Severe Asthma Attacks Can Endanger Your Child

For the next nine months, you will have to monitor your symptoms very closely. Some women may actually notice an improvement in their symptoms and only suffer from a few outbreaks while they are pregnant. Others may find a worsening of their asthma and this can be a cause for concern.

The symptoms for severe asthma include panting, bluish color of lips and fingers, and shortness of breath that does not respond a rescue inhalers.

In this case, there is an immediate need for constant monitoring by a physician. It is better for a pregnancy mother to take her asthma medication than to have symptoms and risk her baby.

Asthma Medication Is Very Important During Pregnancy

Mothers with pregnancy asthma who have severe symptoms are at a higher risk of complications. When asthma gets out of control, there is a decrease in oxygen to the growing fetus. When the oxygen is depleted, the baby cannot develop normally and additional problems happen.

For that reason it is always best to visit your doctor if you have any breathing problems. Your doctor will prescribe medication so that you can breathe easily.

There Is On One Solution To Treat All Pregnancy Asthma

It is always best to follow an asthma management plan.  It is a great way to have all of the information about your condition in one spot. To stay healthy. You should create one that suits your health, your baby, and your lifestyle.

Call Your Doctor If Your Symptoms Get Worse

If your symptoms get worse, your doctor will examine you closely to see if it is part of the pregnancy or worsening of asthma. Believe it or not, certain hormones called prostaglandin can cause you to pant and have shortness of breath.

The growing baby will also push up on your abdominal cavity and prevent you from breathing. The problem with pregnancy asthma is that there is no cure. You may feel uncomfortable for the rest of the pregnancy. But the good news is that as long as your baby continues to grow, this does not have to be concern.

Severe Asthma Attacks Can Endanger Your Child

For the next nine months, you will have to monitor your symptoms very closely. Some women may actually notice an improvement in their symptoms and only suffer from a few outbreaks while they are pregnant. Others may find a worsening of their asthma and this can be a cause for concern.

The symptoms for severe asthma include panting, bluish color of lips and fingers, and shortness of breath that does not respond a rescue inhalers.

In this case, there is an immediate need for constant monitoring by a physician. It is better for a pregnancy mother to take her asthma medication than to have symptoms and risk her baby.

Asthma Medication Is Very Important During Pregnancy

Mothers with pregnancy asthma who have severe symptoms are at a higher risk of complications. When asthma gets out of control, there is a decrease in oxygen to the growing fetus. When the oxygen is depleted, the baby cannot develop normally and additional problems happen.

For that reason it is always best to visit your doctor if you have any breathing problems. Your doctor will prescribe medication so that you can breathe easily.

Complications Can Threaten Your Baby

While some mothers worry about taking additional medications during the prenatal period, it is the adverse effects from a lack of that of oxygen that is the greatest threat to the baby.

Asthma Can Be Dangerous To A Growing Baby

When it comes to pregnancy asthma, it is very important to monitor the condition of your growing baby. The symptoms that you feel such as wheezing and shortness of breath can affect the oxygen that is available for your baby. If there is a lack of oxygen to the growing baby there is an increased risk of cerebral palsy, growth restriction or even death.

These complications can include:

• Cesarean delivery - Mothers with pregnancy asthma might have this type of delivery if symptoms worsen and there is not enough oxygen for both mother and baby.
• Prematurity – These types of mothers also may have premature babies that are small, underweight or require some hospitalization in intensive care nursery after birth.
• Pre-eclampsia - Women with severe asthma may develop high blood pressure, or pre-eclampsia, which is a huge danger to the mother and can be life threatening.
• Fetal growth restriction -. High blood pressure, or preeclampsia, from pregnancy asthma can result in poor fetal growth restriction. And this can lead to other problems such as mental retardation and cerebral palsy.

Pregnancy asthma is a dangerous issue that can be controlled if it is carefully managed. For the sake of you and your unborn baby, you should visit your doctor if you have any breathing problems.

With the right treatment plan, you can have a normal and healthy pregnancy.

How To Monitor Your Baby For The Best Outcome

Pregnancy asthma is a common medical condition affecting many expecting mothers in the United States. It is a respiratory disorder that involves an overreaction of the immune system to certain allergens. The end result is that these mothers have trouble breathing.

This is a serious ailment that cannot be taken lightly. Even if you have had asthma all of your life, the hormonal changes during pregnancy can affect you differently.

And this can be a dangerous situation for your baby. But with right plan you can avoid potential problems.

First Trimester: Find The Best Medical Team

For the safety of both mother and baby, it is important to have a medical team who is involved throughout the pregnancy. An asthma doctor can watch your symptoms and your obstetrician can tell you if there is potential harm to the baby. Both should be consulted if there is any change at all, even if the change is for the better. Your doctor will use either spirometry or a peak flow meter to measure your lung function.

Second Trimester: What To Expect

During the second trimester, your doctor will order ultrasounds to measure your baby's growth. If there is a change in your condition, your doctor may prescribe follow-up additional ultrasounds around 32 weeks gestation to monitor the health of your baby.

Throughout your pregnancy, self-monitoring is very important in monitoring the condition of the baby. After 28 weeks gestation, you should monitor fetal movements daily. If the baby is active then you know that he or she is getting enough oxygen. Even with additional ultrasounds you should pay attention to how your body feels and you will know if there are any problems.

If you fell less kicking then you should call your doctor immediately.

Third Trimester … Almost There

Throughout the third trimester, your doctor will continue to evaluate your baby on a weekly basis. If there are any problems such as chest pain or labored breathing, you and your baby will be monitored more closely. You may need additional testing or an adjustment in your medication.

Since this period is toward the end of your pregnancy, you may feel anxious. But you should find comfort in the fact that your baby’s lungs are almost fully developed and he or she is ready for the world.

SAFE Treatments For Pregnancy Asthma

Pregnancy asthma can be a scary thing for a mother expecting a new baby.

But with the right treatment plan, an expecting mother does not have to be afraid.

The ultimate goals for expecting mothers are to properly manage asthma and keep it under control. This involves identifying the symptoms of asthma and avoiding allergens that can trigger an attack. It should also include starting a medical treatment plan to immediately treat symptoms.

If it is necessary, you should educate others about your condition so that a support system is available.

Step 1: Consult With Your Doctor

If you have asthma, you should visit your doctor as soon as you know that you are pregnant. This way you can form an early plan to manage symptoms. Whether your symptoms are mild or severe, you should have an idea about how to treat them.

After a physical examination, history of medical symptoms and triggers, your doctor will give you a medical treatment plan. Your doctor may also order pulmonary function tests and fetal monitoring to evaluate you and your baby.

With this information, your doctor will create an asthma action plan that you can use at any time.

Step 2: Use Asthma Medications That Are Safe During Pregnancy

After a diagnosis of asthma your doctor will prescribe medication to relieve symptoms with minimal side effects. Throughout your pregnancy, he or she will continue to monitor you to ensure that treatment is effective. The most common medical approaches include:

• Inhaled short-acting beta2-agonist (albuterol) for immediate relief of symptoms
• Inhaled corticosteroids (budesonide) for preventative care.</li>
• Alternative medications (long-acting beta2-agonists, cromolyn) for severe symptoms.

Most medications can be safely continued during the prenatal period. It should never be discontinued unless a doctor has advised doing so. If there is a medication that should not be continued during this period, there may be an alternative that will work in the same way.

If you took allergy shots before you became pregnant and had no severe reaction to the shots, you should continue the shots during pregnancy. With the right allergist, you can have control over the substances that aggravate your symptoms. So there is no need to stop treatments. However, you should not start allergy shots during pregnancy.

Step 3: Have A Plan Of Action To Ensure A Safe Nine Months

You and your doctor should have a plan to treat your asthma symptoms. Before and during pregnancy, you should have an asthma action plan to safeguard the health of your growing child. This plan of care should contain information about your triggers, medications, treatments, and what to do in case of an emergency.

An asthma action plan is the best way for you to monitor your condition. If you check on a daily basis, you will know if your symptoms are getting better or worse.

Step 4: Continue Monitoring Your Asthma Symptoms During Pregnancy 

Asthma monitoring is essential during pregnancy. You should also closely monitor your symptoms with a peak flow meter and journal. 

On a daily basis, you should use a peak flow meter to measure your lung capacity. Sometimes it is hard to notice when your breathing is off. A journal would also help you to keep track of differences. Certain electronic peak flow meters will keep track of it for you. If you should notice a huge change in your breathing, you should notify your doctor immediately.

The best asthma management includes proper diagnosis, use of medication, self-monitoring, and following an asthma action plan for long-term management.

Although there is no one right regime, the safest treatment for pregnancy asthma is the one that allows a mother and her growing fetus have enough oxygen.

Pregnancy And Asthma:
How To Avoid An Asthma Attack

The best way to treat asthma is to avoid having an attack in the first place. Avoid exposure to your asthma triggers. This might relieve your symptoms and reduce the amount of medication you have to take.

Triggers like smoke and pollution can be detrimental to the mother and baby, even without the usual complications.

Exercise can be a trigger in some people, and should be done with caution. Nobody should begin an exercise regimen without first speaking to a doctor, and this is especially true for pregnant asthmatics.

Most exercise during the prenatal period should be moderate and carefully monitored. Activities or exercises during this period should involve breathing warm, humidified air rather than cold, dry air that can trigger pregnancy asthma.

These include:

• Avoiding smoking and second hand smoke. Use an air cleaner to improve air quality.

• Removing contaminants and irritants from your home with allergen control products.

• Avoiding outdoor activities when there is a high pollen count or use a pollen mask.

• Wearing a allergen control mask when vacuuming.

• Keeping pets out of the bedroom at all times or use a pet allergen control product.

• Covering pillows and mattresses with dust mite covers.

• Kill dust mites by using allergen cleaning products or washing bedding in hot water once a week.

• Keeping low humidity in the home to control dust mites.

Exercise Can Give Some Relief

With the right treatment regime, you don’t have to stop exercising during pregnancy. Workout sessions that encourage you to breathe warmer, humidified air will less likely set off an attack. It is also a good idea to ask your doctor about medications that can help to prevent symptoms when you exercise.

If you should suffer an attack while working out, stop exercising immediately and follow the management plan suggested by your doctor. Immediately go to a warm, humidified area and take any medication your doctor has prescribed for you. If there is no relief, seek emergency help. Once you have trouble breathing, there is limited air for you and your baby. With proper asthma management, you can avoid this type of situation.

More Information
On The Safest Asthma Treatments

Different asthma types have different treatments. Although most people think all types are the same, each person has unique triggers and reactions. No two asthma sufferers are alike. If you want to learn about the several types of asthma and treatment options, take a peek at: 

Infant Asthma: Know The Treatments	Learn About Childhood Asthma Sooner	A Guide To Adult Onset Asthma
Elderly Asthma: How To Get Relief	Pregnancy Asthma: Is It A Problem	Occupational Asthma: Is Your Job Harmful?
Surgery Asthma Can Affect Your Recovery	Exercise Asthma: Is The Silent Trigger?	Seasonal Asthma Can Be A Bad Enemy

Many people with asthma find fewer complications when they find a management plan that really works. Read The SAFE Asthma Treatment Guide and discover the four steps to controlling asthma.  

With a little help from your doctor and the right plan of action, you can control your wheezing so that you can breathe easier.

And remember … any asthma treatment prescribed by a physician should always be taken as ordered, even if there are no symptoms. Your doctor is the gatekeeper to keeping you healthy.

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