Can i develop asthma during pregnancy

This is a test that checks how well your lungs work. During the test, you take a deep breath and exhale blow into a machine called a spirometer.

This machine measures the amount of air you breathe in and out. It also measures how fast you can breathe. Your health care provider needs to monitor your lungs while you are pregnant so he can adjust your asthma medicines, if needed. Tell your provider if your symptoms improve or get worse. By limiting your contact with allergens and other asthma triggers, you may need to take less medicine to control your symptoms.

Yes, asthma symptoms often change during pregnancy. Sometimes they get better and sometimes they get worse. Getting the flu can set off serious asthma symptoms.

Be sure to get a flu shot in October or November every year. Heartburn also can make your symptoms worse. If your asthma is under control and mild, you may not need any special tests. Ultrasound uses sound waves and a computer screen to show a picture of your baby inside the womb. Your provider may start these at around 32 weeks of pregnancy. Only about 1 in 10 pregnant women with asthma 10 percent have symptoms during labor and birth.

Take your usual asthma medicines during labor and birth. If you still have asthma symptoms, your health care provider can help control them. Asthma medicines do get into your breast milk , but the amounts are very low and are safe for the baby. If you take high doses of certain asthma medicines, like theophylline, your baby may become irritable or have trouble sleeping. To help prevent this, take your asthma medicines 3 or 4 hours before the next feeding.

Get expert tips and resources from March of Dimes and CDC to increase your chance of having a healthy, fully-term pregnancy and baby. Sign up for our emails to receive great health information and join us in the fight for the health of moms and babies. When asthma is under control, asthma attacks almost never occur during labor and delivery. Also, most women with well-controlled asthma are able to perform breathing techniques during their labor without difficulty.

Doctors do not believe asthma medicines are harmful to a nursing baby when used in usual amounts. The transfer of asthma medicines into breast milk has not been fully studied.

When breastfeeding, drinking extra liquids to avoid dehydration is also important as it is for all people with asthma. Genetics plays a role in whether a baby will develop asthma. In other words, asthma tends to be more likely in a baby if their relatives have it. The environment also plays an important role.

One major prenatal risk factor for the development of asthma is maternal smoking. Giving up cigarette smoking is very important. Other prenatal factors that may influence the development of asthma are:.

Talk to your doctors about identifying your risk factors and making safe changes in preparation for your new baby. Download, Print, Share This Guide. Medical Review November , update March Subbarao, P.

Willemsen, G. Holberg, C. A recessive component? Lawrence, S. For example, in the event of an emergency cesarean delivery, your healthcare team may select general anesthesia that promotes dilation of the airways. Belly breathing exercises for relaxation will come in handy during labor and delivery.

The Lung Association has an instructional video to help you practice and be prepared. Belly breathing is a great skill for people with asthma to have on hand during pregnancy or anytime who may experience difficulty breathing. There are many health benefits that your baby gets from breast milk.

Talk to your doctor about continuing to use your asthma medicines while breastfeeding and list any concerns that you may have. Asthma medications are generally safe for breastfeeding babies. This November your donation goes even further to improve lung health and defeat lung cancer. Double Your Gift. Your tax-deductible donation funds lung disease and lung cancer research, new treatments, lung health education, and more.

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By Mayo Clinic Staff. Show references Gabbe SG, et al. Respiratory disease in pregnancy. In: Obstetrics: Normal and Problem Pregnancies. Philadelphia, Pa.

Accessed April 13, Litonjua AA, et al. Risk factors for asthma. Accessed April 12, Weinberger SE, et al. Physiology and clinical course of asthma during pregnancy. Schatz M, et al. Management of asthma during pregnancy. What is asthma?