How pregnancy affects asthma
If you have asthma, it's hard to predict whether your asthma symptoms will be any different in pregnancy. Your symptoms may improve, stay the same or get worse.
Important
See a GP, asthma nurse or specialist as soon as you know you're pregnant for advice on how to manage your asthma. Also, tell your midwife you have asthma.
Your midwife will support you throughout your pregnancy, but your GP, asthma nurse or specialist will continue to manage your asthma care.
You're more likely to have acid reflux while pregnant, which can make your asthma worse. Acid reflux is where stomach acid travels back up towards your throat.
Urgent advice: Call your GP, asthma nurse or NHS 111 immediately if you’re:
- using more of your reliever inhaler than usual
- coughing or wheezing more, especially at night
- feeling shortness of breath or tightness in your chest
Any of these could mean your asthma is getting worse and needs to be checked. A healthcare professional can review your medicines and make changes if necessary.
Immediate action required: Call 999 if you're having an asthma attack and any of these apply:
- you do not have your inhaler with you
- you feel worse despite using your inhaler
- you do not feel better after taking 10 puffs of your inhaler
Asthma treatments and pregnancy
Most asthma medicines are safe to use in pregnancy and, if your asthma is well controlled, there's little to no risk for you or your baby.
You should continue to take your prescribed asthma treatments throughout your pregnancy. Unless your asthma gets worse, your treatment can remain exactly the same as before.
Do not stop taking your asthma medicine – talk to a GP, asthma nurse or specialist first.
Your symptoms may get worse if you stop taking your medicine. This can pose a risk for your own health and increase the risk of your baby having a low birthweight.
Asthma treatments and breastfeeding
It's safe to continue any asthma treatment while you're breastfeeding. Even when you're busy with your new baby, it's important not to neglect your own health and to keep your asthma under control.
Managing your asthma during pregnancy
There are things you can do to help manage your asthma during pregnancy, such as:
- continuing to use your preventer inhaler (steroids) as prescribed – it’s important your asthma is well controlled during pregnancy
- not smoking during pregnancy because it’s harmful for you and your unborn baby – get tips on stopping smoking in pregnancy
- avoiding things that trigger allergic reactions, such as pet fur and grass pollen
- controlling hay fever by using petroleum jelly around your nostrils, regularly rinsing your nose with a salt water solution, or taking medicines like antihistamines – talk to a doctor or pharmacist about which antihistamines are safe to take in pregnancy
- continuing to exercise and eat a healthy diet – exercise can sometimes trigger asthma, so ask your GP, asthma nurse or specialist for advice if your asthma symptoms get worse while exercising
- having the flu jab in pregnancy
Find out more about having a healthy diet in pregnancy, exercise in pregnancy and medicines in pregnancy.
Visit Asthma + Lung UK for more information on asthma and pregnancy, or call their helpline on 0300 222 5800 (Monday to Friday, 9.15am to 5pm).
Asthma and giving birth
It is very rare to have an asthma attack during labour. If you have asthma symptoms during labour it’s safe to use your reliever inhaler as normal.
Make sure you tell your midwife and the hospital staff about any allergies you have.