Asthma In Pregnancy: Symptoms And Consequences – I’m A Mom

When asthma is not controlled, it can cause a progressive decrease in the amount of oxygen that circulates in the mother’s bloodstream. This deficiency can harm the baby as it benefits from the oxygen in the mother’s blood. Thus, asthma in pregnancy deserves a lot of attention.

Pregnancy is one of the most beautiful stages in a woman’s life. Despite this, you are not risk free. Health problems for both mother and baby can get worse if you don’t seek medical attention. Therefore, it is important to treat asthma in pregnancy in time.

This condition is more common than you think. It is estimated that almost 10% of pregnant women have asthma as a result of respiratory problems prior to pregnancy, typical of childhood. That’s why it’s important to know the symptoms and learn to deal with asthma in pregnancy.

Asthma symptoms in pregnancy

First, there may be episodes of difficulty breathing, feeling short of breath or suffocation. A pregnant woman may also experience wheezing that becomes progressively more acute, coughing, and chest pressure.

General consequences of asthma in pregnancy

Keep in mind that asthma is a disease that affects the airways, inflaming these channels and obstructing the flow of air for both inhaling and exhaling.

If asthma is not controlled during pregnancy, it will trigger problems that can endanger the lives of both mother and baby. Asthma in pregnancy is a problem that needs medical attention, monitoring and treatment.

consequences for the mother

If you ignore the symptoms of asthma, you may have a very severe bout of shortness of breath or constant shortness of breath. Thus, the risk of something more serious happening is much greater. For example, the mother may need to deliver prematurely, have episodes of respiratory failure, and have pre-eclampsia. All of these situations need immediate medical assistance.

consequences for the baby

The oxygen levels in the mother’s blood can decrease to the point where it seriously compromises the baby’s life. Thus, the child’s immediate and future health status is affected.

Therefore, the risks for the baby cannot be ignored. He may have a sudden or perinatal death, delay in the growth process, premature birth, or low birth weight.

However, if asthma in pregnancy is controlled and you don’t have any attacks, the consequences for the baby are significantly reduced.

Therefore, it is important to learn to differentiate the changes in your body and identify the symptoms of asthma in pregnancy. You should be aware that annoyances are not always a symptom of something serious. In this regard, don’t forget that you may feel uncomfortable because of the baby’s weight and pressure on other organs. These factors can also cause breathing difficulties in certain positions, especially when lying down.

4 tips for mothers with asthma during pregnancy

It is likely that this condition of the mother is caused by a hereditary factor. Therefore, it is prudent to take some measures to prevent these episodes from occurring during pregnancy. For example:

1. Avoid exposing yourself to environments that can trigger an asthma attack.
2. Exercise to regulate and improve breathing. And even though exercise is beneficial, it’s important to see your doctor to tell you which ones are best for you, as certain types of exercise can trigger asthma.
3. Take the medications prescribed by your doctor.
4. You should have tests, such as spirometry, to check your lung capacity.

Treatment for Asthma in Pregnancy

Your goal as a mother should be to ensure the best possible health for your baby. Therefore, it is essential to maintain a standard of living that allows you to live the pregnancy peacefully. For this, there are some techniques that can be used:

• Relaxation and breathing therapies. They are effective in keeping your lung capacity at a normal level or as close as possible.
• Learn to relax to control the symptoms of an asthma attack.
• Avoid unnecessary excesses or agitation in your daily activities.

If you think you need it, you should also consult professionals in specific areas, such as allergists or immunologists, for example. Always, of course, maintaining communication with your obstetrician.

And remember: the most important thing is to control the factors that trigger asthma episodes. For example, strong smells, pollen or animal hair. Also, you should always have your medications close by.

The pregnancy phase can be very pleasurable. However, there will always be challenges and one of them may be asthma in pregnancy. If you have asthma, it’s okay to worry. But if you follow your doctor’s advice, this condition won’t necessarily pose a greater risk to you or your baby.