Creator: bobbyhayes
Published: 2021-07-27T13:30:44Z
Keywords: emergency help

Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition that affects the airways in the lungs and makes breathing difficult. If you’re pregnant and have asthma, managing your symptoms is important to keep both you and your baby healthy.

Asthma can be well controlled with proper management and care during pregnancy. Here’s what you need to know to manage asthma while pregnant:.

Understand Your Asthma Triggers

Asthma triggers are things that make your asthma worse. Knowing what triggers your asthma will help you avoid them and prevent asthma attacks. Some common triggers for asthma are:.

Pollen, dust mites, and animal dander
Cigarette smoke
Exercise
Cold air or changes in weather
Stress and anxiety
Certain medications, such as aspirin and ibuprofen

If you’re not sure what triggers your asthma, keep a record of your symptoms and what you were doing or where you were when your symptoms occurred. This will help you identify your triggers and avoid them.

Take Your Asthma Medications as Prescribed

If you’re pregnant and have asthma, it’s important to continue taking your asthma medications as prescribed by your healthcare provider. Not taking your medications can put you and your baby at risk.

Most asthma medications are safe to use during pregnancy, but talk to your healthcare provider to make sure that the medications you’re taking are safe for you and your baby.

Some asthma medications that are commonly used during pregnancy include:.

Inhaled corticosteroids
Beta-agonists
Leukotriene modifiers
Theophylline

Your healthcare provider may adjust your asthma medications during pregnancy based on your symptoms and how you’re responding to treatment.

Related Article Understanding asthma during pregnancy

Avoid Asthma Triggers

Avoiding asthma triggers can help you prevent asthma attacks and keep your symptoms under control. Here are some tips to help you avoid asthma triggers:.

Avoid smoking and secondhand smoke
Stay indoors when pollen counts are high
Use dust mite covers on your pillows and mattress
Vacuum and dust frequently
Avoid strong odors and perfumes
Avoid exercising in cold weather

Get Regular Prenatal Care

Getting regular prenatal care is important for all pregnant women, but especially for women with asthma. Your healthcare provider will monitor your asthma symptoms, adjust your medications if necessary, and help you manage your asthma during pregnancy.

Make sure to tell your healthcare provider that you have asthma and discuss any concerns you have about managing your asthma during pregnancy.

Consider Allergy Shots

If your asthma is triggered by allergies, allergy shots may be an option for you. Allergy shots, also called immunotherapy, help your body build up immunity to the allergens that trigger your asthma symptoms.

This can help reduce the severity of your asthma symptoms and make them easier to manage.

Practice Good Self-Care

Practicing good self-care is important for all pregnant women, but especially for women with asthma. Here are some self-care tips to help you manage your asthma during pregnancy:.

Get plenty of rest
Eat a healthy, balanced diet
Stay hydrated
Exercise regularly (with your healthcare provider’s approval)
Avoid stress and practice relaxation techniques

Know When to Get Emergency Help

Even with proper management, asthma attacks can still occur. It’s important to know the signs of an asthma attack and when to seek emergency medical help. Signs of an asthma attack include:.