An expectant mother requires delicate treatment because of the changes happening within her body. The hormonal changes sometimes make a woman act differently and desire unusual foods. While these occurrences are common in all expectant mothers, asthma in pregnancy has to be handled very carefully.
Asthma Risk During Pregnancy
Improperly treated asthma during pregnancy increases the risk of preeclampsia, preterm birth, prenatal mortality, and low birth weight in the infant. The magnitude of the risk is related directly to the severity of the asthma in the mother. Most women can have healthy pregnancies even with asthma, as long as they address the condition properly.Care for asthma is an integral part of obstetric care, and the pediatrician should have all the facts about an asthmatic's condition from the patient's first visit. This information should include the regularity of symptoms both day and night.
Based on the type of medications an expectant mother is taking and the extent of the asthma, it might be advisable to consult with an asthma specialist. If this is the case, the doctors should team up to plan the best course of care.
Treatment Strategy For Asthmatic Pregnant Woman
Women who have persistent asthma should see their asthma specialist at least once per month during the entire pregnancy term. This is necessary because the course of asthma changes in approximately two-thirds of females during pregnancy.Fetal surveillance by ultrasound and antenatal fetal testing is highly recommended for persistent asthma sufferers. Because of the risks to the fetus, it is advisable to establish accurate pregnancy dating by the first trimester through the use of ultrasound. The mother-to-be should pay close attention to fetal activity and keep her physicians informed.
The fewer medications taken during pregnancy, the better it is for both mother and child. If the mother is using allergen immunotherapy for control of allergies, this can continue for the extent of the pregnancy. It is not wise to begin taking these medications during the pregnancy because they increase the chances of anaphylaxis, which can be fatal to the mother and fetus.
Asthma Care for Pregnant Woman
Women who smoke should be encouraged to abstain during pregnancy and avoid exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke. The risk of contracted diseases increases for both mother and fetus due to tobacco use and smoking.Additionally, maternal smoking causes an increased risk for the development of asthma in the unborn, not to mention the fact that smoking is unhealthy.
Because genes are inherited, there is always a risk that the weakness will be carried to the next generation along with the strengths. Asthma in pregnancy may produce another individual with the same condition, but there is no assurance of this.
The best things an expectant mother can do for her child are primarily based on practical common sense. The better care the mother receives during pregnancy, the better chance her baby has of being healthy as well.
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