Asthma During Pregnancy Does Not Have To Be A Problem For Your Baby

Why Is Asthma Dangerous?
Asthma is a condition where the air passages of the lungs are sensitive to certain allergens and become irritable and swollen. During pregnancy, this can be a dangerous situation. If this condition is not diagnosed and managed correctly, it can endanger the health of mother and child.
The major symptoms are wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath and tightness in the chest. Getting a handle on the symptoms is difficult since the severity of the attacks are different with every case.
How To Avoid Potential Complications
Birth complications come in many forms. While some mothers worry about taking additional medications during the prenatal period, it is the adverse effects from a lack of oxygen that is the greatest threat to the baby. This deprivation of oxygen can lead to cerebral palsy, low birth weight or premature birth. Blood pressure changes, or pre-eclampsia, can also present themselves in the mother, and these can be life-threatening.
But with proper medical care, complications such as these can be avoided.
Diagnosis and Treatment
An expecting mother with asthma should be on a long term treatment plan and this will depend on the severity of the symptoms. After a doctor takes a complete history and physical exam, he or she will have a good idea of what is causing the attacks and plan a course of action.
The final product will be an asthma management plan that will show triggers, medications and emergency contacts. This involves identifying the symptoms of asthma, avoiding allergens that trigger attacks, and starting a medical treatment plan to prevent and treat symptoms.
Triggers To Avoid
An expecting mother should know her triggers and how to avoid them.The best policy is to avoid all known allergens, such as pollen, dust, and animal dander. The immediate environment should be clear of mold, mites, and animal dander. Strong chemicals have also been proven to be hazardous to the health of expecting mothers with respiratory issues so a chemical-free environment is best.
Monitoring A Baby's Condition
Asthma during pregnancy must be monitored extremely closely because the unborn child is extremely vulnerable in the development of the womb. If the mother has an attack without proper response time and treatment, there is a high potential for complications. It is always best for an expecting mother to document her experiences and share them with her practitioner.
If you are asthmatic and become pregnant, your doctor will create an action plan to accommodate your baby. If there is any change in your condition, you should be monitored more closely.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com