1 in 20 pregnant women has asthma

One in every 20 pregnant women in Ireland has asthma, the Asthma Society of Ireland has said.

It has just launched a new guide aimed at helping women to manage this condition during pregnancy.

According to Dr Jean Holohan, chief executive of the society, asthma management often becomes the least important health concern for women during pregnancy ‘when in fact it should be one of the first issues that you address’.

“The correct management of asthma during this time will have a knock on effect to your overall experience of pregnancy and child birth so ensure you discuss this with your GP or consultant,” Ms Holohan said.

The society pointed out that a lot of research has been conducted into the effects of asthma and asthma medication on pregnancy and the on the unborn children. The overall conclusion is that if asthma is controlled properly, the chance of a normal pregnancy and delivery is the same as that of a woman who does not have asthma.

“Good pregnancy and asthma outcomes are achieved through combined obstetric and respiratory care, close monitoring of symptoms, precise tailoring of medication, patient education and reassurance,” it explained.

The role of diet during pregnancy is also an important factor. Research indicates that pregnant women who eat more fruit, vegetables and oily fish have a lower risk of having a child who goes on to develop childhood asthma.

Research also indicates that children who are breastfed are less likely to go on to develop asthma in childhood.

The Asthma in Pregnancy guide provides information on a range of issues, including diet, breastfeeding, the impact of smoking on asthma and how best to manage asthma symptoms during pregnancy.

It also provides information on the management of an asthma attack during pregnancy and labour, the appropriate use of medications during pregnancy and psychological wellbeing.

“During pregnancy, it is imperative that all women with asthma take seriously the management of their condition. There is a huge amount that can be done not only to manage symptoms during pregnancy but also to reduce the risk of your child from developing asthma through simple lifestyle changes,” commented Dr Michael Geary, Master of the Rotunda Hospital in Dublin.

He urged all pregnant women with asthma to consult their GP or consultant about asthma management and to obtain a copy of the Asthma in Pregnancy guide.

The guide is available free of charge from the Asthma Society of Ireland by contacting 1850 44 54 64 or via the society’s website at…http://www.asthmasociety.ie

It will also be available in maternity hospitals.

For more on asthma, see…http://www.irishhealth.com/clin/asthma/index.html
For more on pregnancy, see…http://www.mum.ie

[Posted: Thu 20/11/2008]