Asthma in pregnancy

[Stephanie226]

Hi everyone, I'm 13 weeks pregnant and the past couple of days my normally well controlled asthma is flaring up. I have a horrid cough and feel breathless. Been using my inhaler a lot more but I worry as I know it increases baby's heart rate. It's now the weekend and won't have access to GP until Monday. Has anyone else's asthma flared in pregnancy? x

Yep, much worse now than normal. I'm on a fairly high dose of preventative meds, and have been warned that if I stop I will be very ill. You don't mention if you're taking preventative medicine, but if not, go see a GP and get some on Monday, and get your asthma back under control. In the meantime, take it easy and try not to stress needing to take your reliever inhaler, it's better this than you and baby not getting enough oxygen. Feel better soon x

Thanks so much for replying. I usually go on the steroid inhaler all winter, not usually until November time but I am really struggling so will phone the asthma nurse on Monday and get some advice x

Yes, my asthma is usually so mild I don't need a steriod inhaler during the summer and onlt start using it in the winter as colds tend to effect my chest.
During my pregnancy with my daughter my asthma was much worse and I needed my steriod inhaler all the way through.
I'm now 17 weeks and noticed my asthma is again worse that normal (not helped by having covid at 7 weeks either). My midwife told me this week at my 16wk check that asthma can be worse in pregnancy and suggested I schedule an asthma review, which I have in a couple of weeks, but using my steriod inhaler in the meantime.
Definitely worth speaking to the GP and getting a review. As the PP said, it's important to stay as well as possible. Hope you are OK.

I'm asthmatic and planning a pregnancy. My respuratory consultant said in pregnancy about a third of women's asthma worsens, a third stays the same and a third improves. She said it was really important to continue asthma meds and to make sure you're getting the right care.

Phoning the asthma nurse on Monday is a good idea. Hopefully you'll feel better soon. You can also contact asthma nurses at asthma UK which I did earlier this year for advice on taking Fostair and Montelukast when TTC and if I got pregnant. I found them really helpful so worth being aware of.

my asthma went bonkers during pregnancy having been completely mild and controlled the rest of the time. It’s never really gone back to that which is a shame. I was under a consultant for all pregnancies once I’d been in hospital with exacerbation of asthma a few times. You really need to keep on top of your asthma plan (once you have one!)

You don't really need to worry about taking a ventolin inhaler with regards to your baby's wellbeing but obviously the lack of control is a problem. I'd ring 111 as see if they can offer you some reassurance or have you be seen, if necessary.

Echoing the poster above - do not worry about taking salbutamol. If you can’t breathe and become seriously unwell, that is far worse for the baby. Please phone your doctor on Monday for an appointment for your uncontrolled asthma in pregnancy.