Asthma During Pregnancy - Part 2

Asthma in Pregnancy & After Delivery

Asthma's Effect on Your Newborn Infant

Many new mothers who had asthma during pregnancy and are still taking asthma medication have concerns about whether breastfeeding is safe for their babies, considering they are taking medication. Breastfeeding has many benefits for both you and your baby, both physically and emotionally. Medicines can be passed from mother to baby through breast milk. But there has been no evidence that asthma or allergy medicines are harmful to a nursing infant. So, in most cases, the same medicines that can be taken safely during pregnancy can also be used when nursing. Check with your allergist if you have any concerns, however.

Also, if you can, schedule your medications to be taken at least 15 minutes after you nurse your baby and 3 to 4 hours before the next feeding to lower any risk even further.

New mothers may also worry that they have passed asthma on to their babies. This is actually a valid concern, as one of the main risk factors for developing asthma in children is having a parent with asthma, especially with first-born babies. But you can take measures to help protect your child, such as:

• Stop smoking and /or keep your child from regular exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke
• Keep your home as allergen-free as you can
• Keep your baby's weight within a healthy range
• Live in a place where air quality is good, such as limited car exhaust fumes and smog
• Manage your stress, since maternal distress can increase asthma risk in children

And remember, it is not certain that your infant will have asthma, just because you do. Although the risk is high, it is not inevitable. But because it is possible, you should be alert for the early signs that breathing problems are in store. That way, you can have your baby checked out by your pediatrician early on, so that any issues can be dealt with.

In Summary - About Asthma During Pregnancy

Pregnancy can be a joyous time for the expectant mother. But it can also be an anxious time, if you had asthma during pregnancy and worry that everything you do might harm your fetus. The good news is that asthma in pregnancy, as long as you stay in control, should cause little reason to worry. With good medical care and a solid asthma management plan, you and your baby should be able to stay healthy during your pregnancy and beyond.

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