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Allergies, Asthma, and Pregnancy |
 Pregnancy is an exciting time. It is also a time of great concern. Everything you do is now for (at least) two! This includes breathing which means that and keeping asthma under control is of particular importance to ensure you and your unborn baby stay in good health.
If you know you want to become pregnant or could become pregnant, it is best to speak with your allergist before conception if possible. This is because pregnancy can cause your asthma symptoms to worsen. Documented studies have shown that asthma related symptoms increased in 35% of pregnant women. It seems asthma was more of a problem during the late second and early third trimester of pregnancy.
However, this may not be your experience at all. With good asthma management, you can minimize the effect your condition will have on your baby. The first thing to do is work closely with your allergist and obstetrician to coordinate your care and find the best prescription for you. The next thing is to keep track of what triggers your attacks and do everything you can to keep those things out of your environment. This includes cigarette smoke. Sticking with your prescribed plan and avoiding the things that put you at risk for an attack will go a long way in preventing infant allergy problems later.
Uncontrolled asthma during pregnancy can lead to high blood pressure, toxemia and complications during labor. Your baby gets the oxygen it needs from the oxygen in your blood. If you aren’t taking enough oxygen in, your baby won’t get enough to develop properly. This is especially true during the first trimester. A study conducted by Canadian researchers found that women who had asthma attacks during their first trimester were 48% more likely to give birth to babies with birth defects compared to just 9% of infants whose mothers controlled their asthma during early pregnancy.
You may be concerned about the risks of taking medication during pregnancy. This is a valid concern. But for most women, the majority of inhaled asthma medications are safe for use while pregnant. Medications that come in pill form are to be avoided unless otherwise prescribed. This is why it is so important to keep in contact with your asthma doctor and follow the prescribed plan. If you are taking allergy shots, it is probably safe to continue with those. However, that is something your doctor will discuss with you. If you were not taking allergy shots prior to becoming pregnant, during pregnancy is not a good time to start.
Another concern many mothers have is whether or not they can breastfeed while taking asthma or allergy medications. As it turns out, the prescriptions you were taking during pregnancy can be continued because your baby gets less of it through nursing than he did in the womb. Besides, breastfeeding is a good way to build up your baby’s resistance to allergies and disease. Make your concerns known to your allergist and if any changes need to be made, your doctor will discuss it with you.
There is something sacred and special about the time of pregnancy. Every woman deserves to have peace of mind regarding her well being and that of her unborn child. Working together with your allergist and obstetrician can ensure both a safe pregnancy and delivery for you and a healthy, happy, new addition to your family.
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