Asthma During Pregnancy: How to Avoid Trigger and Manage It

Asthma is a bronchial condition with chronic airway inflammation, causing your airways to tighten up and making it hard to breathe. Since there is no cure for asthma, severe symptoms can occur at any time. However, you can control your asthma and manage it through proper treatment and medication. Asthma during pregnancy can be life-threatening unless it’s properly managed. Expectant mothers who have asthma must consult their doctor to manage their asthma and keep it under control.

Asthma and Pregnancy

So, is asthma dangerous during pregnancy? 

If your asthma is uncontrolled, you run the risk of having high blood pressure and preeclampsia, a major blood pressure disorder distinguished by signs of damage to organ systems, including the kidneys, liver, blood or brain. It usually happens after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Uncontrolled asthma can also suggest that your baby is deprived of enough oxygen, thereby increasing the risk of several medical conditions, including:

• Premature birth
• Poor growth
• Low birth weight
• Complicated labour

Managing asthma while pregnant is essential for moms-to-be to avoid unnecessary medical complications that affect their babies in their womb. To do so, moms-to-be must:

• Monitor lung function 
• Avoid and reduce asthma triggers
• Use customised pharmacologic treatments 
• Stay informed about your condition 

Due to the challenges in identifying the root cause, your doctor will have to diagnose you by considering your health history, performing a physical exam and listening to your breathing. A spirometry test, whereby you breathe into a spirometer machine, is often recommended to evaluate the pulmonary function in pregnant women. The equipment counts your breaths and evaluates your speed of breathing as well as air consumption. Typical changes in your body during pregnancy could cause dyspnoea. This test can determine whether your dyspnoea is due to asthma or another condition.

How Frequently Does Pregnancy-related Asthma Strike? 

According to medical findings, 4 to 8% of pregnancies are affected by asthma. About 30% of women who had asthma before pregnancy found their condition exacerbated during pregnancy.

What Are Some Symptoms of Asthma During Pregnancy?

Like any other asthma patients, moms-to-be with asthma experience:

• Chest tightness or pain
• Coughing
• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing

Remember, uncontrolled or severe asthma might affect your baby. So, you should pay close attention to symptoms of aggravation of your asthma. Potential signs of worsening asthma include:

• Asthma symptoms are becoming more frequent and more bothersome
• Increased difficulty breathing
• The need to use an inhaler more frequently

Impact of Pregnancy on Asthma

Can pregnancy worsen asthma? Yes, in certain cases, expectant women complain of worsening asthma symptoms. Around 40% of pregnant women experience aggravated asthma triggers, essentially between 29 and 36 weeks. However, in most cases, asthma symptoms may improve and remain stable throughout pregnancy. 

Common Causes of Asthma During Pregnancy:

Multiple things can trigger an asthma attack in an individual, and the triggers may vary by person. However, some of the common factors contributing to asthma include:

Hormonal Changes: During pregnancy, hormonal changes occur, causing an increase in estrogen and progesterone. This can affect the respiratory system, aggravating asthma symptoms.

Increased Blood Volume: The increase in blood volume during pregnancy often leads to shortness of breath. 

Reduced Effective Lung Volume: The expansion of the uterus reduces the effective lung volume, causing difficulty breathing, potentially worsening asthma symptoms.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): Most moms-to-be experience GERD, which often worsens asthma symptoms. 

Common Triggers

Some common asthma triggers during pregnancy that prospective mothers must be aware of and avoid as much as possible include:

• Smoking 
• Poor Asthma Control
• Foetal Gender 

Asthma Medication Safety During Pregnancy

Safety is an essential priority in terms of medication for asthma management. There are several medicines available on the market. But, would-be mother must consult their doctors before taking any medicine. Certain inhaled corticosteroids and short-acting beta agonists are considered safe. One must check reputable guidelines (e.g., NIH, allergy/asthma societies) for ultimate safety. 

Managing an Asthma Attack During Pregnancy

Asthma attack during pregnancy what to do – most expectant women with asthma symptoms are often concerned about an asthma attack during pregnancy. Stay calm. Don’t think too much about it. At times, negative thinking can culminate in panic attacks, worsening your asthma symptoms. Simply keep your quick-relief medication within reach. In case your symptoms worsen, you might want to use them. You must continue your prescribed asthma medication. Stopping them can worsen your condition, potentially affecting your baby in the womb. Here is what you need to follow:

• Use your rescue inhaler
• Sit upright and loosen tight clothing
• Identify and avoid triggers
• Continue regular medication 
• Seek immediate medical attention 
• Monitor your condition

Usually, if you need your rescue inhaler more than twice a week, and you are having nighttime symptoms more than twice a month, it’s likely your asthma has worsened, requiring medical review. Do consult your doctor in case of difficulty speaking and blue lips.

Potential Complications: Asthma and Pregnancy

Uncontrolled asthma during pregnancy can cause problems for the mother as well as the unborn child. High blood pressure (preeclampsia), early birth, low birth weight, and higher risk of C-section can all be among these complications. For the baby, poorly managed asthma can bring down oxygen levels, resulting in long-term health problems.

Best Inhaler Options for Asthma in Pregnancy

Due to asthma and pregnancy complications, it’s crucial to choose your medication wisely and sensibly. While choosing an inhaler, the best approach is a stepwise treatment based on asthma severity. Inhaled steroid medicines are usually recommended for treating asthma during pregnancy; budesonide is the most studied and generally considered safest. Inhaled bronchodilators and corticosteroids are generally considered safe and are often considered the best inhalers for pregnancy asthma. Other safe inhaled corticosteroids are fluticasone and beclomethasone. Short-acting beta-agonists like albuterol also help quickly with symptoms. 

Salbutamol (Albuterol) Safety in Pregnancy

Is salbutamol safe during pregnancy? Salbutamol—also known as albuterol—is usually considered safe for use during pregnancy and is recommended to help control asthma symptoms. Though some studies have found some potential issues in animal models, they do not always translate to human risks. Talk to your doctor about any asthma medications safe in pregnancy, especially while pregnant, to be sure you and your child are getting the best treatment. 

Wrapping Up

In short, proper management of your asthma is key to keeping your symptoms in check. Talk to your doctor to review your options since many safe asthma medicines are suitable for pregnant women. If you use asthma medications before becoming pregnant, do not stop without first seeing your doctor. Medication for asthma will be vital for you during delivery. By discussing this in advance with your healthcare team, you can incorporate this into your birthing plan. 

Managing asthma in pregnancy requires expecting women to closely monitor their symptoms, avoid triggers, and follow their doctor’s advice on using asthma medications. Suddenly stopping asthma meds could put your baby in danger as well as you. Pregnant women should continue to follow their asthma care plan and get their safe annual flu shot.