Breathing for Two: Expectant moms with asthma may not receive most appropriate medications when discharged from emergency departments

A friend of mine is newly pregnant with her second baby – perhaps only a week or so. She and her husband have been hoping this day would come for at least a year. She’s already started her prenatal vitamins, taking daily naps and daily walks, staying hydrated and eating healthy, fresh foods while trying to avoid preservatives and unnecessary chemicals.

But she doesn’t give much thought to breathing for two because “I haven’t had asthma problems in forever,” she said, “and I don’t expect I will.” She may be right, but many people don’t perceive the early stages of airway inflammation, and others aren't aware that the asthma they thought they “outgrew” is silently smoldering and subtly restricting airflow--a dangerous situation for a developing baby.

By the time symptoms become noticeable or wheezing is audible, there is as much as a 15 to 20 percent decrease in lung function. Additionally, an expectant mom may attribute mild breathing problems to the extra weight she is carrying and not think about asthma.

Many expectant mothers are wary of taking any medications -- however, treating asthma correctly through avoidance of known allergens, irritants and respiratory viruses as well as using inhaled medications is extremely important. Yet a new study conducted by researchers at the Ohio State University Medical Center showed that expectant moms treated in the emergency department are less likely to leave the hospital with a prescription for an inhaled corticosteroid than other patients, despite national treatment guidelines advising their use.

Expectant mothers with a history of asthma should be evaluated by an asthma specialist such as a board-certified allergist, measure exhaled nitric oxide (an indicator of airway inflammation) using NioxMino, and monitor lung function using a peak flow meter at home.

Learn more:
Breathing for Two -- Expectant moms with asthma face special challenges. This 17-page booklet gives you straightforward, dependable answers from reliable experts. Available through the online AANMA Store.

PRECIOUS Breathers is AANMA’s special program to help you identify respiratory problems in children under 5. Everything about PRECIOUS Breathers is geared to little ones and the big people who love them! Here, you’ll find basic info about various reasons why your child might be having breathing problems—from common causes such as colds and teething, to more serious conditions such as asthma that require medical treatment. You’ll also find an online library of practical, family-friendly articles about some of the specific causes.