Asthma Management and Prevention in Pregnancy, Labour and Birth

Carolyn Amanda Saunders, BMW, BA *

ABSTRACT
Asthma is one of the most common medical disorders among pregnant women and the prevalence of asthma has been increasing due to rising obesity rates and an increase in urban pollutants. Numerous physiological, lifestyle and environmental factors influence the course of asthma in pregnancy. Management of asthma in pregnancy includes education, monitoring and treatment. Under-treated or poorly controlled asthma poses the biggest risk to mother and baby. Midwives in particular have a role to play in asthma prevention by educating women about the importance of the links between medication, maternal nutrition in pregnancy and the potential risk of future asthma in the child.

KEYWORDS
asthma, pregnancy, corticosteriod, maternal nutrition