with

OBJECTIVE
S:
• Define what is asthma.
• State the signs and symptoms of
asthma.
• Enumerate the maternal and
neonatal complications of
uncontrolled asthma.
• To know if asthma medication s safe
to use during pregnancy.
• Explain when a pregnant woman
with asthma seek emergency medical
treatment.
Asthma and pregnancy brings up
many issues such as the impact
of the disease upon the health
and well being of mother and
baby, the necessity for increased
surveillance of the condition and
new adaptations to the
management strategies proposed
in its treatment.
Asthma is an inflammatory disease of the
respiratory tract causing spasms in the
bronchials which can affect patients in a
variety of age groups, including women
of childbearing age. A number of studies
have shown that about one to four
percent of all pregnancies are
complicated by bronchial asthma.
However, the true prevalence may be
much higher because, in many cases, the
condition goes undiagnosed.
Asthma may have its onset for
the first time during pregnancy or
may be worsened by pregnancy.
Either way, undertreated or
uncontrolled asthma can have
serious effects on both the
mother and fetus.
 What Are the Signs and Symptoms of
Asthma?
 Coughing. Coughing from asthma is often
worse at night or early in the morning,
making it hard to sleep.
 Wheezing. Wheezing is a whistling or
squeaky sound that occurs when you
breathe.
 Chest tightness. This may feel like
something is squeezing or sitting on your
chest.
 Shortness of breath. Some people who
have asthma say they can't catch their
breath or they feel out of breath. You may
feel like you can't get air out of your
lungs.
Pathophysiology of Asthma
 Maternal complications of uncontrolled
asthma:

 Stress

 Lack of oxygen

 preeclampsia (toxemia in pregnancy) - a disorder

of pregnancy characterized by increased blood
pressure, water retention, and protein in the urine.

 gestational hypertension - high blood pressure

during pregnancy.
 hyperemesis gravidarum - a pregnancy
disorder characterized by protracted vomiting,
weight loss, and fluid and electrolyte
imbalances.

 vaginal hemorrhage - bleeding through the

vagina.

 induced and/or complicated labor - the onset

of labor to deliver the fetus and/or labor that
may cause complications for the mother or
fetus.
 Neonatal Complications :

 stress and lack of oxygen

 Perinatal mortality

 Intrauterine growth retardation -

poor fetal growth in the womb,
causing the fetus to be smaller than
normal for its gestational age.
Preterm birth

 Low birth weight

 Neonatal hypoxia - inadequate

oxygen for the cells.
 Are asthma medications safe to use
during pregnancy?
Most asthma medications are not harmful to
the fetus or to the nursing baby, according to
the American Medical Association. In fact,
uncontrolled asthma may actually put the
mother and fetus at far greater risk than the
medication used to control asthma. Always
consult a physician for a diagnosis and to
develop a specific asthma treatment plan
tailored to the individual symptoms.
When should a pregnant woman with asthma
seek emergency medical treatment?

Even with a proper asthma management

plan in place, a pregnant woman should be
aware of certain warning signs that may
indicate an asthma attack, such as:
• current medication does not provide rapid
improvement of symptoms
• improvement from medications is not
sustained as long as previously sustained.
• breathing becomes more difficult
• fetal kick count decreases, which
may indicate fetal distress
Always consult a physician
about what asthma attack warning
signs to look for and when to seek
emergency medical treatment.
 Presented by:

VENICE HIMAN ENCAJONADO