Pregnancy and Asthma: Impact, Risks, and Safe Management Strategies
For expectant mothers with asthma, maintaining optimal control of their condition is essential to ensure a healthy pregnancy and delivery. According to recent studies, poorly controlled asthma during pregnancy increases the risk of complications such as preeclampsia, low birth weight, premature birth, and the need for cesarean delivery.
The primary reason for these risks is that poorly controlled asthma impairs oxygen supply to the fetus and causes maternal respiratory distress. Severe or uncontrolled asthma episodes can reduce the mother's pulmonary ventilation, leading to decreased oxygen levels reaching the fetus, a condition known as fetal hypoxia. Fetal hypoxia increases the risk of stillbirth, low birth weight, and preterm delivery.
Asthma exacerbations also cause inflammation and stress on the mother's cardiovascular system, which is already under increased demand due to pregnancy. This added burden can predispose to complications like preeclampsia, a condition characterized by high blood pressure and organ involvement during pregnancy.
Moreover, asthmatic pregnant women have a 15-20% increased risk of preterm delivery, which may result from the physiological stress and inflammation related to poor asthma control. The complications arising from poorly controlled asthma often necessitate cesarean sections to ensure maternal and fetal safety.
However, it is important to note that well-controlled asthma does not increase the risk of complications, and many women with asthma have healthy pregnancies. To maintain optimal control, it is crucial to continue with asthma treatment during pregnancy, see the doctor regularly, take medication as prescribed, get a flu shot, avoid asthma triggers, reduce stress, and recognise early signs of a flare-up.
Standard asthma therapies, such as inhaled corticosteroids and short-acting beta agonist (SABA) inhalers, are generally considered low-risk in pregnancy. Some asthma medications, like sodium cromoglicate, leukotriene receptor antagonists (LRTA), and theophylline, may be avoided during pregnancy unless necessary to control symptoms.
Pregnancy may make symptoms worse for women with severe or poorly managed asthma. In such cases, a doctor will monitor the woman's lungs and adjust the treatment plan accordingly, possibly performing an ultrasound to check on the baby's development. The aim of asthma treatment during pregnancy is to avoid flare-ups to ensure a steady supply of oxygen for the fetus and reduce the likelihood of complications.
In summary, managing asthma during pregnancy is crucial to prevent hypoxia and systemic complications that increase the risk of preeclampsia, low birth weight, premature birth, and cesarean delivery. By following a treatment plan, avoiding triggers, and using appropriate medication, expectant mothers can ensure a healthy pregnancy and delivery for themselves and their babies.
- During pregnancy, it is essential for mothers with asthma to maintain optimal control of their condition to reduce risks associated with complications such as preeclampsia, low birth weight, premature birth, and cesarean delivery.
- Well-controlled asthma does not increase the risk of complications, and many women with asthma have successful pregnancies.
- To achieve optimal control, expectant mothers should continue with their asthma treatment, see their doctor regularly, take medication as prescribed, get a flu shot, avoid asthma triggers, reduce stress, and recognize early signs of a flare-up.
- Standard asthma therapies, like inhaled corticosteroids and short-acting beta agonist (SABA) inhalers, are generally considered low-risk in pregnancy.
- Certain asthma medications, such as sodium cromoglicate, leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRA), and theophylline, may be avoided during pregnancy unless necessary to control symptoms.
- Pregnancy may worsen symptoms for women with severe or poorly managed asthma. In such cases, doctors may monitor the woman's lungs and adjust the treatment plan, possibly including ultrasounds to check the baby's development.
- Mental health and therapies-and-treatments relevant to women's health are also important considerations during pregnancy, as stress can contribute to asthma flare-ups.
- The health-and-wellness industry and science continue to research and develop new treatments like Paxlovid, produced by Pfizer, to better manage conditions like asthma during pregnancy.
