Asthma and Pregnancy

Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition that impairs the functioning of the airways. It swells the airways and causes a reduced flow of air in the lungs. This results in wheezing, coughing, breathlessness, and tightness in the chest.

Asthma affects around 7 to 8% of the women in India. This is in fact, the most common problem that most pregnant women here have. What effects asthma could have on the pregnancy entirely depends on the constitution of the individual.

If you have been a patient of asthma earlier before pregnancy, then you would have to continue the medication prescribed by the doctor. This is to reduce any risk for the baby. Ensure that you have a regular follow up with the doctor regarding this. Asthma and pregnancy are inter related and studies have shown that the condition worsens the condition during the last few weeks of pregnancy. Only one in ten women suffering from this problem get an attack when they are in labour.

Usually the pregnant woman has a stuffy or runny nose and has a shortness of breath. Sometimes the chest gets tighter and there could be a whistling or breathing with lot of straining. They also suffer from fatigue, headache, and insomnia. It is better that the doctor is always informed about your problem so that he can attend an emergency if required.

Asthma is a trigger reaction. Normally smoke, tobacco, dust mites, mold spores, and pollen trigger asthma, the IgE or immunoglobulin E antibodies and produces histamine and many other chemical mediators.

Asthma and pregnancy are to be taken care of with great care. Many women suffering from asthma might really have perfectly healthy babies. But if it is not controlled then it could resulting in very little oxygen going into the baby, which increases the chances of low birth weight.

Pregnancy gets complicated because of asthma and respiratory problems so ensure that you take care of this problem.

Asthma and pregnancy are two situations, which have to be handled with care and caution.