Asthma and pregnancy
Go to:
Previous story
|
 Next story
|
 |
Do you suffer from asthma and wonder how it (and your medications!) will affect your baby? If so, you're not alone.
Asthma is one of the most common pregnancy complications, affecting about one of every 100 pregnant women. The key to a healthy pregnancy and baby, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI), is to control your asthma.
The ACAAI recommends that you avoid triggers such as cigarette smoke, exposure to animals, and dusty and damp environments. Stay in an air-conditioned place during pollen seasons and when the pollution index is high; wear a mask or scarf around your face on excessively cold days to warm the air before you breathe it. Stay away from crowds in which cold and flu viruses may be prevalent, and avoid foods or chemicals that might have caused a reaction in the past, such as sulfites or MSG.
The bottom line on your medication? The ACAAI says, "The risks of stopping your medication are far greater than any potential risk to your baby. Therefore, do not stop your regular asthma medication unless your doctor recommends it."
