Asthma During Pregnancy: Common Questions Answered

Pregnancy brings joy and anticipation, but it also brings new concerns. For women living with asthma, pregnancy can bring additional challenges.

While asthma during pregnancy can be concerning, it does not necessarily pose a significant risk to the mother or fetus. However, expectant mothers with asthma must follow their healthcare provider’s recommendations carefully to ensure the best possible outcome for themselves and their babies.

Partnering with your care team to manage your asthma, allergies, and related symptoms is key to ensuring a healthy pregnancy. Here are answers to the most common questions surrounding asthma and pregnancy.

Can asthma lead to pregnancy complications?

According to the National Institutes of Health, between 4-8% of pregnancies are affected by asthma, making the condition one of the most prevalent chronic diseases affecting pregnancy. Although allergies and asthma are highly common medical disorders affecting pregnant women, they can nevertheless cause serious complications.

Asthma is a chronic respiratory disorder marked by airway inflammation and constriction. It affects millions of people around the world and can significantly influence overall well-being. The presence of asthma during pregnancy can create additional complexities during fetal gestation.

“Pregnancy brings significant changes to your body, including hormonal shifts and alterations in lung function,” says Dr. William A. McCann, Chief Medical Officer of Allergy Partners. “Poorly controlled asthma during pregnancy can pose risks to both mother and baby.”

When pregnant women experience asthma flare-ups, the baby’s oxygen supply is compromised. Oxygen deficiency can cause significant medical complications for the baby, including premature birth and developmental disorders. Additionally, women with asthma are at a higher risk for preeclampsia, a potentially fatal medical issue that occurs in approximately 6% of pregnancies.

The severity of asthma symptoms during pregnancy tends to correspond with asthma’s overall severity, though some people – approximately one-third – experience symptom improvement during pregnancy. However, pregnant women with asthma should nonetheless follow their medical team’s asthma care plan regardless of whether their symptoms remain the same or improve.

How do I prevent an asthma attack during my pregnancy?

Proper management of asthma triggers is especially important during pregnancy. Common asthma triggers include the following:

• Dust Mites and Household Pests: Dust mites and household pests, such as cockroaches, ants, and rodents, can trigger asthma symptoms. These small organisms can be found in bedding, carpets, furniture, and other parts of the home.
• Pets: While pets can provide companionship and emotional support, certain animals, particularly cats, dogs, and birds, can also trigger asthma attacks. Proteins common to animal dander, skin flakes, and saliva can cause an allergic reaction in individuals with asthma.
• Outdoor Pollution: Exposure to outdoor pollutants, such as pollen, vehicle exhaust, and industrial emissions, can irritate the airways and trigger asthma attacks. It is important to limit outdoor exposure during peak pollen seasons or when air quality is poor.
• Mold: Mold spores can be found in both indoor and outdoor environments. When mold grows in damp or humid areas, such as bathrooms, basements, or leaky pipes, it can trigger asthma symptoms. Keeping indoor spaces clean and dry can prevent mold growth.
• Tobacco Smoke: Smoke from tobacco products, including cigarettes, cigars, and secondhand smoke, is a known asthma trigger. Even brief exposure to smoke can cause bronchospasms, coughing, and wheezing in individuals with asthma. It is advisable to establish smoke-free environments and refrain from smoking or being around others who are smoking.
• Respiratory Infections: Respiratory infections like common colds, sinusitis, COVID-19, and influenza can worsen asthma symptoms. Practicing good hand hygiene, vaccinating against respiratory infections, and consulting a healthcare provider for appropriate treatment can dramatically reduce respiratory infection risk.

It is crucial for pregnant women with asthma to work with their healthcare providers to develop a comprehensive asthma management plan. Regular check-ups and follow-ups are important to monitor asthma control and address any changes in symptoms during pregnancy. Proper prenatal care is essential, as it can help identify any potential complications or risks associated with asthma during pregnancy.

In addition to managing asthma, pregnant women should prioritize a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy. A healthy lifestyle includes maintaining a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and getting enough rest.

Should I continue to exercise regularly during pregnancy if I have exercise-induced asthma?

Exercise-induced asthma, known as exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB), occurs when heat and water loss during physical activity cause the smooth muscles in the airway to constrict.

While exercise is a common asthma trigger, physical activity is nonetheless an important part of maintaining overall health and improving lung capacity. Exercise during pregnancy offers the following benefits:

• Reduces back pain
• Mitigates bloating
• Reduces constipation
• Improves sleep quality
• Enhances mood
• Helps prevent gestational diabetes
• Increases energy

There is also evidence to suggest that exercise can help ease and even shorten labor.

Exercise-induced asthma can be managed with the help of allergy and asthma specialists. “Your specialist can assess your asthma severity and control, adjust your medication regimen as needed, and provide personalized asthma action plans to help you navigate your pregnancy with confidence,” says Dr. McCann. “It’s crucial for expectant mothers with asthma to receive comprehensive care tailored to their unique needs.”

Can I safely use asthma medications during pregnancy?

It is essential to continue taking your asthma medications during pregnancy, as directed by your healthcare provider. Some asthma medications, such as inhaled corticosteroids, are considered safe during pregnancy and can help control your symptoms and prevent asthma attacks. However, it is important to consult with your healthcare provider before starting any new medications or changing your current routine.

At Allergy Partners, we recognize the importance of providing comprehensive support to women with allergies and asthma throughout their pregnancy journeys. We have a deep understanding of allergy-related pregnancy challenges and offer the necessary range of services and resources that will help you navigate your pregnancy safely. Find a location today. 

Asthma Triggers – Common Causes of Asthma Flare-Ups

Managing asthma requires constant vigilance in an environment overflowing with potential triggers. Microscopic dust mites and airborne pollen from blossoming trees are but a few of the numerous instigators capable of causing episodes of wheezing, coughing, and chest tightness. Understanding these triggers is the first step to managing your asthma effectively and reclaiming control of your breathing.

Asthma Triggers: The Usual Suspects

Airborne Irritants

• Pollens: Springtime isn’t always synonymous with joy for those with pollen allergies. Trees like ragweed, birch, and oak, along with flowers like daisies and goldenrod, release tiny pollen particles that can wreak havoc on sensitive airways. Knowing your local pollen season and taking appropriate precautions, like staying indoors during peak times and using air purifiers, can be game-changers.
• Dust Mites: These microscopic creatures cozy up in your mattress, pillows, and carpets. They’re champions at multiplying in warm, humid environments, making summer and fall their prime time to pester. Washing bedding in hot water regularly, using dust mite covers, and vacuuming often can help keep their numbers in check. Learn more about how to manage dust mites.
• Mold: Mold thrives in damp places with poor ventilation. The spores it releases can irritate airways, leading to congestion and asthma flare-ups. Fixing leaks, using exhaust fans in bathrooms, and controlling indoor humidity can help banish mold from your home.
• Smoke: Whether secondhand smoke from cigarettes or fumes from burning wood, smoke is a potent asthma trigger. Avoiding smoky environments and advocating for smoke-free spaces is crucial for protecting your lungs.

Food Sensitivities and Intolerances

While less common than environmental triggers, certain foods can trigger asthma symptoms in some individuals. Common foods that cause asthma flare-ups include:

• Milk
• Eggs
• Shellfish
• Peanuts
• Soy

Paying attention to how your body reacts after consuming different foods and keeping a food diary can help identify potential dietary triggers. Consulting an allergist for food allergy testing can also provide valuable insights.

Emotional Asthma Triggers

Stress, anxiety, and even strong emotions like excitement can surprisingly trigger asthma reactions. This happens because the body releases hormones during these emotional states that can tighten airways and make breathing difficult. Mindfulness practices, relaxation techniques, and stress management strategies can help counter these emotional triggers and keep your airways at ease.

Other Asthma Triggers

• Cold Air: Chilly weather can constrict airways and trigger asthma symptoms. Bundling up in cold weather and wearing a scarf over your mouth and nose can help mitigate this effect.
• Exercise: While regular exercise is healthy for everyone, including those with asthma, strenuous workouts can sometimes trigger flare-ups. Choosing gentler forms of exercise like swimming or yoga, adjusting exercise intensity, and using an inhaler before exercising can help prevent asthma attacks.
• Medications: Certain medications, like aspirin and beta-blockers, can worsen asthma symptoms in some individuals. Discussing your medications with your doctor and exploring alternative options if necessary is essential.
• Personal Asthma Triggers: Everyone experiences asthma differently, and identifying your unique triggers is critical to effective management. A symptom diary to record trigger exposures and symptom severity can be a helpful tool.

What Does an Asthma Flare-Up Feel Like?

An asthma flare-up can feel like a sudden switch has flipped, turning breathing from effortless to demanding. Coughs punctuate every exhale, and a tightness settles in your chest, making each inhale a bit heavier. This feeling can be unsettling, a reminder of your lungs’ vulnerability. But for those familiar, it’s a landscape you’ve navigated before. A calm focus washes over, guiding you to reach for your inhaler, take a slow, controlled breath, and trust that this temporary state will soon return to open, easy air.

What is Silent Asthma?

Silent asthma, also known as silent chest or subacute asthma, is a less common subtype of asthma characterized by the absence of the typical loud wheezing and coughing associated with regular asthma attacks. Key features of silent asthma include:

• Lack of loud wheezing
• Fatigue and low energy levels
• Increased susceptibility to infections

If left untreated, silent asthma can lead to lung damage and other severe respiratory complications.

Warning Signs of Severe Asthma Flare-Ups

Don’t hesitate to seek help: Call emergency services immediately if any of these warning signs arise. Every minute counts in a severe asthma attack.

• Rapidly worsening shortness of breath: Difficulty speaking or catching your breath, even at rest, is a significant red flag.
• Severe wheezing: Wheezing that becomes loud and persistent, even after using your inhaler, is concerning.
• Chest tightness: A feeling of chest constriction that doesn’t improve with your usual treatment warrants immediate medical attention.
• Blueish skin or nail beds: This blueish discoloration, known as cyanosis, indicates a lack of oxygen and requires immediate medical intervention.
• Increased anxiety or panic: While some anxiety is normal during an asthma attack, uncontrolled panic could signify a worsening situation.
• Confusion or loss of consciousness: These indicate a potentially life-threatening situation and require an emergency call.

Taking Control of Your Breath

Once you’ve identified your triggers, the next step is to avoid them whenever possible. This might involve adjusting your environment, changing your diet, managing stress, and adjusting your exercise routine. Your allergist can help you develop a personalized action plan to minimize trigger exposure and manage your asthma effectively.

• Understanding your asthma triggers empowers you to make informed choices and reduce the risk of flare-ups.
• Prevention is vital: Taking proactive steps to avoid triggers is the most effective way to control your asthma.
• Seek professional help: Consulting an allergist can provide personalized guidance, testing, and treatment plans to optimize your asthma management. Comprehensive pulmonary function testing can also detect how well your lungs are functioning.

With the right approach and tools, asthma doesn’t have to dictate your life. By unmasking the triggers hiding in plain sight, you can breathe easier and navigate the world with confidence and control.