Hey there, friends! So, a while back, my buddy Mia called me in a bit of a tizzy. She just found out she’s pregnant, and her doctor wanted to switch her high blood pressure meds. On top of that, she was waiting for her asthma specialist to get back to her, thinking she’d need to make even more changes to her treatment. “Is anything going to stay the same?” she asked, sounding a bit overwhelmed.
I was happy to reassure her that when it comes to asthma, the answer is usually a resounding YES! The medications that typically help manage asthma in women who aren’t pregnant are often the same ones that can be safely used during pregnancy. The priority is keeping asthma symptoms in check so that both mom and baby get plenty of oxygen.
Mia had been using an inhaled corticosteroid for five years since her asthma flared up regularly. Luckily, her medication, like Pulmicort®, is one of the go-to treatments during pregnancy. Why? Well, it works great to control symptoms and because it’s inhaled, less of it reaches the baby compared to oral meds. The same goes for albuterol, which is often used for quick relief. If Mia had been on a different inhaler that was working well for her, she likely wouldn’t need to change that either.
It’s really important for pregnant women with asthma to keep their condition under control. Poorly managed asthma can lead to complications like slowed fetal growth and preterm labor. “Alright,” Mia said. “I’ll stick with my inhalers and will definitely follow up with my doctor.”
The next time I spoke to Mia, she sounded much calmer. “Great news! My doctor is totally on board with me continuing my inhalers.” She even mentioned wanting to help others who might be in the same boat. I told her that at At Home Insemination, we’re always looking for more information on asthma treatments during pregnancy, and there are studies she could get involved in without any cost or need to take new medications!
“Oh! What about my allergy meds?” she suddenly remembered. “I can’t skip Zyrtec® because my allergies have been off the charts this spring.” I explained that most antihistamines have reassuring profiles during pregnancy, but it’s always wise to double-check the specific one. Studies on cetirizine, the active ingredient in Zyrtec®, haven’t shown any increase in birth defects. Just make sure it’s the only ingredient in her product, as some brands can vary. And of course, sticking to her healthcare provider’s guidance is key.
For more detailed info, check out these resources:
- Albuterol and Pregnancy
- Asthma and Pregnancy
- Cetirizine
- Inhaled Corticosteroids (ICSs) During Pregnancy
So, take a deep breath, relax, and embrace your pregnancy journey!