Asthma is a dangerous condition for pregnant women. When certain allergens are in the air, the air passages in the lungs become swollen and irritable. If this condition is not diagnosed and managed correctly, it can endanger the health of both mother and child.
The major symptoms of asthma are wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath and tightness in the chest. Getting a handle on the symptoms is difficult since the severity of the attacks vary from case to case.
How To Avoid Potential Complications
Birth complications can present themselves in many different forms, and some may be more concerning than others. For example, while some mothers might worry about taking additional medications during the prenatal period, it is actually the lack of oxygen that causes the most serious problems. This deprivation of oxygen can lead to cerebral palsy, low birth weight or premature birth. Blood pressure changes, or pre-eclampsia, can also present themselves in the mother and these too can be life-threatening.
Complications from diabetes can be avoided with proper medical care.
Diagnosis and Treatment
An expecting mother with asthma should be on a long term treatment plan after a doctor does a physical exam and takes her complete history. This will help the doctor get a good idea of what is causing the asthma attacks and plan a course of action to help the mother-to-be manage her condition better.
The final product will be an asthma management plan that will include triggers, medications, and emergency contacts. This involves identifying the symptoms of asthma, avoiding allergens that trigger attacks, and starting a medical treatment plan to prevent and treat symptoms. The asthma management plan will be tailored specifically for each individual person, as asthma triggers and medications can vary from person to person.
Triggers To Avoid
As an expecting mother, it’s important to be aware of your triggers and how to avoid them. The best way to policy is to avoid all known allergens, such as pollen, dust, and animal dander. Make sure your immediate environment is clear of mold, mites, and animal dander. Also, remember that strong chemicals can be dangerous to the health of pregnant women with respiratory problems, so you should try to create a chemical-free environment.
Monitoring A Baby’s Condition
Asthma during pregnancy must be monitored very closely, as the unborn child is very vulnerable during development in the womb. If the mother has an attack without timely response and treatment, there is a high potential for complications. Therefore, it is always best for an expecting mother to document her experiences and share them with her practitioner. By doing so, the doctor can better understand what causes an asthma attack and how to best treat it to prevent both mother and child from having problems.
If you suffer from asthma and become pregnant, congratulations! Your doctor will work with you to create an action plan that takes your baby’s needs into account. If your condition changes at all, you will be monitored more closely. We want to make sure both you and your baby are as safe and healthy as possible.
Though it’s scary to think about if you have asthma, there’s no need to worry about becoming pregnant. If your asthma is under control, you can safely have a baby. If it’s not managed well, talk to your doctor about how to get it under control before you get pregnant. With the right care, you can have a healthy pregnancy.
