Healthy breathing is vital to a healthy pregnancy!
Asthma symptoms get worse during pregnancy for about a third of people. There’s no way to predict how your body will respond so it’s best to aim for good asthma control as soon as possible.
If you’re pregnant, or plan to be, be sure you have an Asthma Action Plan. After all, pregnant people are breathing for two (at least!)
An Asthma Action Plan is a personalized guide, filled in by your healthcare provider. It details what medicines you need to take, when to take them and how to adjust them if your asthma starts to get out of control.
Download a free Asthma Action Plan before the next visit with your healthcare provider or find a copy in our Asthma & Pregnancy toolkit.
What to expect (when you’re expecting with asthma)
Some common pregnancy-related conditions have a close relationship with asthma and can make symptoms worse, including:
- Non-allergic rhinitis (stuffy or runny nose, sneezing, and post-nasal drip): About 65% of pregnant people with asthma experience this.
- Heartburn: Most pregnant people will have symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) at some point, but it tends to be more severe in people who have asthma. GERD can trigger asthma symptoms.
- Depression and anxiety: Pregnant people who are experiencing depression and anxiety are less likely to have well-controlled asthma.
If these conditions sound familiar, talk to your healthcare provider.
More information on pregnancy and asthma:
We're here to help!
If you have questions about managing your symptoms during all life’s stages, reach out to our Lung Health Line for free personalized assistance from a Certified Respiratory Educator. Chat online at lunghealth.ca or call toll-free 1-888-344-LUNG (5864).