Breathefree - Managing Asthma During Pregnancy - Are Inhalers Safe to Use when Pregnant

1. ManagingAsthmaDuringPregnancy-AreInhalersSafeto UsewhenPregnant Pregnancy is a beautiful period and a surreal experience. One needs to be cautious at every step of the nine- monthjourney.This isespeciallytrueifyou are pronetoasthma. Asthmais a chronic lung condition that puts an expectant mother at a higher risk of pregnancy complications. Premature birth, restricted fetal growth, and lower birth weight of the child are plausible resultsofill-managedasthma.Severeasthmaattacksmayalsomakeyoususceptibletopreeclampsia, a conditionofhighblood pressure and damagetothekidneys andotherorgans. Luckily for you, understanding the condition and knowing the asthma signs and symptoms will help you be on your toes. That way, you can manage asthma and give birth to a healthy child. In this article, we will discusstipsthatyoucanfollowtopreventanasthmaattackduring pregnancy. UnderstandWhat YourBodyTellsYou The first step to managing asthma is recognizing the warning signs and acting on them promptly. Early asthma symptoms include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. If you are experiencinganyofthese,reachouttoyourhealthcareproviderfortimelyintervention. TackleGastroesophagealRefluxDisease (GERD) Pregnancy brings along a host of bodily changes, and the growing fetus may not leave much room for your digestivesystemto functionnormally.GERDisachronicdigestivediseasethatresultsin heartburnand acid reflux.ManypregnantwomenexperienceGERDatsome point duringtheirexpectantdays. Understand that while GERD does not interfere with your asthma treatment, it can trigger some of the asthma signs and symptoms in pregnant women. Try to eat smaller meals and wait at least three hours after eating before you lie down. Elevating the position of your head and consciously avoiding food that triggersheartburnareotherproactivemeasuresthat youcantaketokeepyourGERDandasthmaunder control. GiveUponSmoking When you get pregnant, every doctor would recommend that you kick the bud. However, if you have asthma,thisisallthemoreimportant foryou.Smokingincreasesthefrequency ofaction-plan-prepared anddecreasesthe effectivenessofanymedicationthatyouconsume.Whilepregnant,simplygivingupon smoking will not suffice, and you need to make conscious efforts to avoid being exposed to second-hand smokeaswell. UsinganInhaler Understand that when you experience an asthma attack, your troubled breathing may lead the fetus to suffer from a lack of oxygen. Not only will that hamper the baby’s growth but, in extreme cases, may also provetobefatalforthebaby.Youshouldcontinuetouseyourasthmainhalersthroughoutthepregnancy. If you are unsure of the correct use of asthma inhalers, reach out to your healthcare provider for suggestions to improve your technique. You may also consider requesting them to watch you use the inhaler to identify room for improvement. Realize that the way you use the inhaler determines how the medicationreachesyour lungs.

2. Actionplan Pregnantwomenwithasthmashouldtalktotheirdoctorabouttheirlabouranddeliveryoptions.Have anactionplanpreparedas asthmacaninfluencea doctor’sdecisiononwhichdrugstoemployduring labour, delivery,andthepostpartumperiod.Withthe correct usageofasthmainhalersasperinstructions you willbeabletomaintainbetterhealthconditions. Periodiccheckups During regular medical visits throughout pregnancy, a baby’s health is monitored in a variety of methods. These visits are especially critical for asthmatic women. Asthma therapy is most eminent when you receive regular medical care and follow a treatment plan closely. Good control of asthma during pregnancy reduces theriskofcomplications. Maintaincleanliness You will be surprised to learn the role of a clean housein asthma treatment. Understand that it is inevitable for your furniture, bedding, upholstery, and carpets to have dust mites. Keep your home clean to minimize the existenceofsuchdustmitesand prevent themfromtriggeringyour asthmasymptoms. Regular vacuuming is an effective means of keeping dust mites at bay. Since you are pregnant, it is recommended that you avoid the heavy work and have a family member do the vacuuming for you. Having an air conditioner or dehumidifier to maintain the humidity of your room between 30% — 50% is a smart choice.You canalsoconsiderwashingthebedsheets,pillowcases,andblanketseveryweekin hotwater, preferablyatatemperatureof atleast54degreescelsius. As an expectant mother, you need to realize that with proper care, it is plausible to prevent asthma from taking a toll on your health and that of your unborn child. As you look forward to stepping into a new phase of life, the tips in this article will help you tackle your asthma and give a safe environment for the growth of yourbaby.