Maternal Asthma During Pregnancy
Pregnancy is one of the most beautiful stages for women. Despite this, it isn’t risk-free. Health problems for both the mother and baby can get worse if you don’t get medical help. That’s why it’s important to treat maternal asthma early.
This condition is much more common than most people think. In fact, almost 10% of pregnant woman suffer from this condition.
It’s usually a result of a respiratory issue prior to pregnancy. Therefore, it’s important to know and learn how to control maternal asthma during pregnancy.
Symptoms of maternal asthma
First of all, you may have episodes with difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. On the other hand, you might hear a whistling that gets worse. You might also have a cough or pressure in your chest.
General consequences of maternal asthma
Remember, asthma is a disease that affects your airways. They become inflamed which hinders air flow, both inhaling and exhaling.
If you don’t control your asthma during pregnancy, it could trigger deficiencies that could put yours and your baby’s lives in danger. Maternal asthma is an issue that requires medical attention, control and treatment.
Consequences for the mother
If you ignore your asthma symptoms, you could have an asthma attack or difficulty breathing, You risk having pregnancy complications.
For example, the mother could go into labor prematurely. She could also experience respiratory failure or pre-eclampsia, which requires immediate medical care.
Consequences for the baby
Oxygen levels in the blood can drop so much that it could put the baby’s life in danger. It affects his immediate and future health.
You shouldn’t take any chances. Your baby could suffer from sudden or prenatal death, growth delays, premature birth or low weight.
Now, if you get maternal asthma under control, these consequences are much less likely.
It’s important for you to notice changes in your body and identify the symptoms of maternal asthma. Keep in mind that discomforts aren’t always a symptom.
In this sense, don’t forget that you could be uncomfortable because of your baby’s weight and pressure on your organs. This could also make it hard to breathe in certain positions, such as laying down.
4 tips for mothers with maternal asthma
Often, this condition is a hereditary factor. It’s important to take measures to prevent having asthma attacks during pregnancy. For example:
- Avoid exposing yourself to degraded environments. They could trigger an asthma attack.
- Practice some physical exercise that regulates and optimizes breathing. Although exercise is beneficial, talk with your doctor about what types of exercises are right for you. Certain types of exercise could actually make asthma worse.
- Take the medications your doctor prescribes.
- You must have tests done, like a spirometry to check your lung capacity.
Treatment for maternal asthma
Your goal as a mother should be to ensure the best possible health for your baby. It’s important to do what you need to do for your health while pregnant. For this, here are some good techniques:
- Relaxation and breathing therapies. They’re effective at keeping your lung capacity in a normal range, or as close as possible.
- Learn to relax and control the symptoms of an asthma attack.
- Avoid getting angry or rushing unnecessarily in your normal activities.
If your maternal asthma and pregnancy need it, talk with allergists, immunologists, and your obstetrician.
Remember, the most important thing is controlling the factors that trigger asthma. For example, strong odors, fumes, pollen and pet hairs. In addition, you need to always keep your medications with you.
Pregnancy can be very pleasant. However, there will always be challenges, and one of them could be maternal asthma. If you’re asthmatic, it’s normal to worry. If you follow our advice, this condition doesn’t have to increase yours or your baby’s risk.