Asthma symptoms

Asthma symptoms during pregnancy: Control above all

Bronchial asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways that requires constant control. Pregnancy can unpredictably affect its course. It is important to know that proper treatment of asthma during pregnancy is completely safe and critically important for both the mother’s and the baby’s health.

"Thirds rule": How pregnancy affects asthma

There is a so‑called "thirds rule" that describes the impact of pregnancy on asthma:

• In one third of women the condition improves.
• In one third of women the condition remains unchanged.
• In one third of women the condition worsens, especially between week 24 and week 36.

The worsening can be related to hormonal changes, increased acid reflux (which is an asthma trigger) and the mechanical pressure of the uterus on the diaphragm, which reduces lung volume.

Why asthma control is so important?

Uncontrolled asthma is far more dangerous for the baby than the medications used to treat it. Severe asthma attacks in the mother lead to hypoxia – a lack of oxygen in her blood. This, in turn, means the fetus also receives insufficient oxygen, which can lead to developmental delay, low birth weight, and other complications.

Treatment safety

The majority of modern inhaled medications for maintenance therapy (inhaled corticosteroids) and for rescue attacks (salbutamol) are considered safe for use during pregnancy. The main rule – never stop taking prescribed medicines on your own! Be sure to discuss your treatment plan with an allergist or pulmonologist together with your gynecologist. Read more about general principles in the article "Medications during pregnancy".