Asthma
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If you have asthma, it will usually be treated in the same way during pregnancy as it was before you became pregnant.
What is asthma?
Asthma is a condition that affects the airways in the lungs. Symptoms can include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath.
Asthma symptoms can change during pregnancy. Some women find that their asthma improves, while others find that it gets worse. Regular reviews with your healthcare team can help keep your asthma well controlled.
Which medications are used to treat asthma?
Medicines commonly used to treat asthma include:
• Short-acting beta-2 agonists (SABAs), such as salbutamol and terbutaline
• Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), such as beclomethasone, budesonide, ciclesonide, fluticasone and mometasone
• ICS/long-acting beta-2 agonist (LABA) combination inhalers, usually containing the LABA formoterol
• Leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRAs), such as montelukast
• Long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMAs), such as tiotropium
• Theophylline
• Oral corticosteroids, such as prednisolone
• Biologic medicines for severe asthma, such as omalizumab, mepolizumab, benralizumab, reslizumab, dupilumab and tezepelumab
Benefits
What are the benefits of using asthma medications in pregnancy?
Keeping your asthma well controlled reduces the risk of severe asthma attacks and helps support a healthy pregnancy.
If you discover that you are pregnant, please arrange a review with your GP, asthma nurse, midwife or specialist. Together you can make sure that your asthma remains well controlled throughout your pregnancy. Do not stop your asthma treatment because you are pregnant unless advised by a healthcare professional.
Risks
Are there any risks of using asthma medications in pregnancy?
Asthma medications that have been available for many years (including salbutamol and ICS) are widely used in pregnancy, with no major safety concerns.
Some asthma medications have not been as well-studied in pregnancy. However, poorly controlled asthma can be dangerous for both you and your baby. For this reason, the benefits of using any asthma medicines during pregnancy will usually outweigh any possible risks.
No treatment
What if I prefer not to use asthma medications in pregnancy?
It is important to continue using your asthma medications during pregnancy. Poorly controlled asthma can reduce the amount of oxygen reaching your baby. Severe asthma attacks can be life-threatening.
Women with poorly controlled asthma may have a higher chance of:
• Pre-eclampsia
• Premature birth
• Having a baby with a low birth weight
• Stillbirth or newborn complications
If you need any advice about your asthma treatment during pregnancy, speak to your doctor or specialist. They can discuss the benefits and any possible risks of treatment and help you decide what is best for you and your baby.
Will I or my baby need extra monitoring?
Routine use of asthma medicines does not normally require extra scans or monitoring.
However, women who experience severe asthma attacks during pregnancy or who have severe asthma may be offered additional monitoring of their baby's growth and wellbeing.
If you take theophylline during pregnancy, you will need extra blood tests. Theophylline levels in the blood may change during pregnancy. Blood tests will ensure the dose remains safe and effective. If theophylline is taken close to delivery, it might cause some temporary symptoms in the newborn baby, such as jitteriness or a fast heart rate. Your baby may therefore need some extra monitoring for a short while after birth.
Are there any risks to my baby if the father uses asthma medications?
There is no evidence that a father's use of asthma medicines around the time of conception increases the risk of problems in pregnancy.
Who can I talk to if I have questions?
If you have any questions regarding the information in this leaflet, please discuss them with your health care provider. They can access more detailed medical and scientific information from www.uktis.org.