Asthma

Asthma in Pregnancy

Most women try to avoid medicines during pregnancy. However, stopping asthma medicine when you are pregnant is not safe. You are now breathing for you and your baby. The best thing you can do for your baby is keep your asthma controlled. Studies show that asthma can be controlled during pregnancy with little or no risk to you or your baby. Remember, asthma does not cause birth defects.

Asthma Medicine:

The U.S. FDA (Federal Drug Administration) classifies medicine into categories based on safety for you and the baby. Medicine is rated A, B, C, D, and X. Category A drugs are the safest and show no risk to the mother and baby. There are no Category A drugs for asthma. Most asthma medicines are Category B (no evidence of risk in humans) or C (risk cannot be ruled out). Category X drugs should never be used during pregnancy.

Your provider will put you on the least amount of medicine needed to control your asthma.

It is important for you to:

Bring a list of all medicines you are taking to your appointments.
Include herbs, vitamins, and other "natural" products on the list.
Do not stop or start medicines without talking to your provider first.

Controlling Your Asthma:

Take your medicine as prescribed.
Monitor your asthma. Pay attention to your breathing symptoms and use a peak flow meter if you have one.
Ask your provider for an asthma action plan to follow.
Call your provider if you are using more rescue medicine or if you feel your asthma medicine is not working as well.
Avoid things that make your asthma worse.
Take a flu shot if you are pregnant during flu season.
See your obstetrician for regular baby check-ups.

Find out more:

Asthma and Pregnancy (National Jewish Medical and Research Center)

For more information:

Go to the Asthma health topic, where you can:

Read articles on this topic
Browse the previously asked questions
Ask your own question.

This article is a NetWellness exclusive. NetWellness Article

Last Reviewed: Dec 13, 2006

Cathy Benninger, APRN, C-AE
Program Coordinator, Asthma Clinic
Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine
Department of Internal Medicine
College of Medicine
The Ohio State University

John G. Mastronarde, MD
Assistant Professor
Co-Director, Asthma Patient Care Center
Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine
Department of Internal Medicine
College of Medicine
The Ohio State University