Asthma is a commonly occurring lung disease. It can be a serious health condition. When monitored closely, asthma is very manageable. Pregnant women who suffer from asthma will need to work closely with their health care professionals to create the best asthma management plan possible. Symptoms during pregnancy may increase or decrease. Treatment methods and medication that worked in the past may or may not be effective during pregnancy. Adjusting the quantity and type of medication may be necessary. Realize that your asthma may be different during your pregnancy. Weight gain, extra blood, and providing oxygen to your fetus can all impact your oxygen levels. Hormones make women feel as if it is difficult to breathe. This paired with an asthma attack can create more stress and anxiety during the attack.
Asthma Exacerbation
According to the Mayo Clinic, asthma exacerbation refers to the swelling and inflammation of the airways. This is the most dangerous part of living with asthma. Even without pregnancy, a woman suffering from asthma has the potential for serious health complications when stricken by a flareup of her asthma. During an attack you may cough, wheeze, and struggle to breathe. The airways are obstructed by the muscles clenching around the bronchial tubes. Air flows through these tubes in order to allow you to breathe.
Significance of Controlling Asthma
Controlling asthma is important to the health of both the pregnant mother and the unborn child. Before birth, a fetus gets oxygen and nutrients from the mother by way of the umbilical cord. When an asthma attack occurs and obstructs the mother's air supply, the baby may also suffer from oxygen deprivation. The longer the attack lasts, the lower the oxygen levels in the blood. Limiting the air supply of the fetus can lead to fetal distress. Proper management of asthma during pregnancy diminishes the risk of death or developmental difficulties for the unborn child.
Ways to Manage Asthma
According to Mayo Clinic, the key to stopping an asthma attack is to recognize the signs. You should create a treatment plan with your doctor that outlines ways to handle asthma during your pregnancy. Discuss possible differences you can experience with asthma now that you are pregnant. Part of this plan may include avoiding things that trigger your asthma. Another component may be new medications or inhalers to be used during an attack.
Avoiding Triggers
Avoiding things that trigger asthma is one way a mother can minimize the amount of medication she may need. Because asthma may worsen during pregnancy, diligence is necessary in avoiding even the smallest triggers you are aware of. If smoke or pollen sent you into an asthma attack before pregnancy, it is best to assume that it will do the same or worse during pregnancy.
Medications
At home treatment of an asthma attack usually consists of an inhaler containing albuterol. Mayo Clinic suggests that a nebulizer be used with the albuterol to allow the medicine to become a mist that is inhaled deeper into the lungs. Corticosteroids help reduce the inflammation of the bronchial tubes and can be given orally or by injection if the impact is needed immediately. Another type of inhaler is one that contains ipratropium. This inhaler can also clear the inflammation of the bronchial tubes during an attack. According to Bio-Medicine.org, an exacerbation poses a greater risk to the fetus than medications used to treat asthma. You should not avoid your asthma medication for fear of harming your baby. As long as your asthma management plan has been approved by your doctor, then the medications you take are still in the best interests of your baby.
