Asthma Pregnancy

Reviewed by Dr Claudia Pastides, 17th April 2019

Asthma during pregnancy

Asthma is usually a lifelong condition, which means affected women will have to manage it throughout their pregnancy. During pregnancy you are likely to notice changes in your asthma symptoms, although it differs for everyone. Some women find their asthma symptoms get worse, some say their asthma improves while others don’t notice any changes at all.

It is natural for anyone on long term medication to ask questions about the safety of their medication when having a baby. As soon as you find out you are pregnant, you should speak to your GP for advice on managing asthma during the pregnancy. It is completely safe to continue your asthma treatment plan during pregnancy, and if you need stronger medication to manage the symptoms, it is also safe to up the dosage as prescribed. If you stop taking your asthma treatment, you risk your own health and the health of the baby.

Asthma during labour

Asthma attacks during labour are very rareHowever, do make sure you have all your medication to hand just in case

Managing asthma when pregnant

It is really important to have your asthma under control while you are pregnant. You can adjust the treatment to your needs as required to prevent asthma getting worse during the pregnancy. For example, you may need to use your reliever inhaler more often than normal for a period of time. If you do notice your symptoms worsening, discuss this with your doctor as you may need to change your treatment plan.

You should also take care to avoid your known triggers, and stay away from smoky environments. Once you have your baby, you should continue treatment as normal – it is safe to use while breastfeeding.

The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Seek the advice of a doctor with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never delay seeking or disregard professional medical advice because of something you have read here.