Pregnancy and asthma
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SUMMARY OF PRACTICE POINTS
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Poorly controlled asthma increases the risk of pre-eclampsia, prematurity, low birth weight and perinatal mortality (III).
Good asthma control reduces these risks (IV).
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III
IV
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| The pharmacological treatment of asthma during pregnancy should be the same as for non-pregnant women. |
IV |
| Most medications for asthma have good safety profiles in pregnant women. |
III |
| If oral corticosteroids are clinically indicated for an exacerbation they should not be withheld because a woman is pregnant. |
IV |
| ICS should not be changed in pregnant women whose asthma is well controlled. However, women who are planning a pregnancy and already using ICS should switch to budesonide, a Category A drug. |
IV |
| Salmeterol and eformoterol should not be stopped if a pregnant woman is already using them, but if possible, they should be avoided during the first trimester. |
[√] |
| Remind parents that passive smoking increases the risk of childhood asthma and other respiratory conditions in their child. Avoidance of environmental tobacco smoke may reduce the risk of childhood asthma. |
III-2 |
Maintaining good asthma control during pregnancy is important for the health of both the mother and baby. Appropriate and ongoing asthma care can successfully manage deteriorations and exacerbations of asthma in most cases. At all times during pregnancy, the use of any medicine is a balance between the justification for its use in maintaining asthma control and the potential for adverse effects.
Breathlessness during pregnancy is common and is usually due to hormonal changes, not asthma. Spirometry can assist in determining the cause. The use of bronchial provocation tests for the diagnosis of asthma in pregnant or lactating women should only be performed on the advice of a respiratory specialist.
Content Created (Thursday, 16 November 2006)
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 31 May 2007 )
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Pregnancy and asthma 
