A guide to breathing well for you and your baby
Asthma is a condition where airways (breathing tubes) become narrow and swollen.
This makes it harder to breathe and can cause coughing, wheezing, or chest tightness.
About 8% of pregnant women have asthma.
It's one of the most common medical conditions during pregnancy.
Some women notice improvement
No change in symptoms
More symptoms during pregnancy
We can't predict which group you'll be in, so we monitor everyone closely.
Well-controlled asthma: Pregnancy outcomes are similar to women without asthma.
Uncontrolled asthma: May be associated with higher risk of preterm birth or low birth weight.
Good news: Control is achievable with safe medications and monitoring.
When you breathe well, your baby gets enough oxygen to grow.
When asthma is uncontrolled, less oxygen reaches your baby.
Keeping your asthma controlled protects your baby.
Yes. Most asthma medications are safe during pregnancy.
The risk of uncontrolled asthma is greater than the risk from medications.
Don't stop your medications without talking to your doctor first.
| Type | Purpose | Safe in Pregnancy? |
|---|---|---|
| Rescue inhalers (albuterol) |
Quick relief during symptoms | ✓ Safe |
| Controller inhalers (inhaled steroids) |
Prevent symptoms daily | ✓ Safe |
| Other medications | Additional control if needed | ✓ Most are safe |
Review medications, establish baseline
Monitor symptoms, adjust as needed
Peak monitoring, plan for labor
Asthma usually returns to pre-pregnancy state
Use controller inhalers daily, even when feeling well
Smoke, dust, pets, cold air, infections
Note when you use rescue inhaler or have symptoms
Tell us if symptoms worsen or change
Call right away if you have:
Call 911 or go to the ER if:
Most women with asthma have normal vaginal deliveries.
You can safely breastfeed while taking asthma medications.
Most asthma medications pass into breast milk in very small amounts.
The benefits of breastfeeding outweigh any minimal risks.
Manages medications and lung function
Monitors pregnancy and baby's growth
Take medications, track symptoms, communicate
Thousands of women with asthma have healthy pregnancies every year.
With good control and teamwork, you and your baby will thrive.
We're here to support you every step of the way.
We're here to answer any questions you have about asthma and pregnancy.
Don't hesitate to reach out between visits if concerns come up.