Many women experience breathlessness during pregnancy which is due to hormonal changes, not asthma. Many women also experience breathlessness during the last trimester of their pregnancy due to the enlarging uterus restricting movement of their diaphragm. This is normal in many pregnant women, even those who do not have asthma.
Pregnancy is not likely to bring on asthma if you didn’t previously have it, but the effect of pregnancy on women who do have asthma is unpredictable. Around one-third of pregnant women will see an improvement, one-third will see no change and one-third will experience a worsening of their symptoms.
The best way to ensure a healthy pregnancy is to keep your asthma well-controlled. As soon as you find out you’re pregnant you should see your doctor for advice on how to manage your asthma.
Some women with severe asthma may develop high blood pressure or pre-eclampsia during pregnancy. There is an increased risk of having a low-birth weight baby or a pre-term delivery in women with uncontrolled asthma.
- 10 views
