According to a researcher from University of Adelaide, skipping asthma drugs during pregnancy can put an unborn child’s health at risk, leading to low birth weight, stillbirth and premature delivery.Stopping medications to control asthma during pregnancy is also harmful to mom’s health.
Dr Annette Osei-Kumah said in a media release, most women underestimate worsening asthma that one-third of women report gets worse during pregnancy.
Women who report no change in asthma were found to have poorer lung function; 55% report having at least one attack during pregnancy.
Without proper management, uncontrolled symptoms can harm an unborn infant. Many women stop taking their asthma medications out of fear of side effects, but she says it’s important to keep asthma under control and fears of taking medications are unfounded.
“What we have found is the lack of medication use is leading to problems, aggravating the asthma and putting the fetus as risk, as well as the mother’s health.”
Not using asthma medication puts an unborn child at risk and threatens health of the mother.
She warns male infants are less likely to survive if a mother has an asthma attack during pregnancy. Females are more likely to have low birth weight when mom has asthma attacks while pregnant.
Pregnancy can make asthma worse from factors released by the placenta that lead to lung inflammation.
Osei-Kumah says, “It’s important that women use their asthma medications throughout pregnancy and get regular checkups with their GP to ensure their asthma is under control.”
Follow your doctor's advice for medications that can keep you and your unborn baby safe from the effects of uncontrolled asthma during pregnancy.
Source:
University of Adelaide News & Events
“Pregnant asthmatic women warned of health risks”
Dr Annette Osei-Kumah
17 February 2012
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