Asthma and Pregnancy

aknitter

I am 34 weeks, and not once has my GP or midwife asked after my asthma or listened to my chest. I find it amazing that no one seems to think this needs to be monitered (I am on a strong dose of steroids daily - its the 'real' asthma). I am so annoyed as these days I find it getting worse and am off to the doc.

Has anyone else had the same experience?

dangerd

Hi aknitter, I'm 18 weeks and my asthma is the worst its ever been. I was away in the states for the first trimester and is was unbearable. My GP took me off my preventative, antihistamines and nasal spray before I left so all I had with me was ventolin. It got to the point where I was taking the ventolin excessively during the day and night and it just wasn't working.

My GP and OB assured me it was perfectly safe to take and when I got back he sent me to my chest specialist who put me back on seretide. My OB said in most cases asthma improves during pregnancy but everyone is different. I'd love that to be the case with me but cest la vie. It will all be worth it in the end. It has improved now that I'm back on the preventative but if yours is bad its really important to get it under control as its not good for you or the baby. I'd ask them about it and make sure your on the right meds and it will at least ease your mind. Good luck

newmammy2011

Hi there,
Im also asthmatic and 32 weeks pregnant.
I have spoken to my gp about it but consultants/midwives in the hospital have never mentioned it.
I had been prescribed a strong preventor inhaler but had stopped using it before I became pregnant. I told my doctor when I went to have my pregnancy confirmed that I had not been taking my inhaler and she said if I felt ok myself that she was happy for me to continue not taking it but that we could review it if I started needing to take my ventolin more. Just after xmas i got a bad cold and it aggravated my asthma so I have started taking a preventor again but would be mild compared to the original one.
My GP has asked how my asthma was on each of my visits to her.

wmpdd3

my sisters did improve during her 2 pregnancys but twice she did have to get the nebuliser, i think she felt better knowing she could have it at anythime if she needed it.

miss_shadow

I'd say it's more uncomfortable as the lung capacity gets smaller from baby taking up space.
I definately feel like the preventative doesn't work as well and i'd need the ventalin asap or else it would feel as though an attack would progress quicker.