Should you need urgent health advice please contact your GP or call NHS 111. In an emergency please visit A&E or call 999
Your midwife, GP and asthma nurse are there to support you with your asthma symptoms during pregnancy, you should speak to them about your asthma if you’re concerned.
Don’t stop taking your asthma medication unless advised to do so by a health professional. Stopping asthma treatments can make your symptoms worse, posing a risk to you and your baby’s health.
It’s important to manage your asthma symptoms during pregnancy, you can do this by:
- Continuing to take asthma medications, including any inhalers, as prescribed
- Stopping smoking, because it’s very harmful to you and your baby
- Avoiding anything that might trigger an allergic reaction, such as pollen or pet fur
- Controlling any hayfever symptoms – it’s important to speak to your pharmacist about which hayfever and antihistamine medications are safe to take during pregnancy
- Eating a healthy diet and continuing to exercise – speak to your GP or asthma nurse if your asthma symptoms get worse during physical activity
- Having the flu jab, which is free during pregnancy
If your asthma symptoms do not worsen during pregnancy, you’re likely to continue with the same treatments as before. Acid reflux during pregnancy can worsen asthma symptoms, contact your GP or asthma nurse if this is the case.
Contact your GP, asthma nurse or call 111 as soon as possible if you’re:
- Using more of your reliever inhaler more than usual
- Coughing or wheezing more, especially at night
- Feeling short of breath or a tightness in your chest
Call 999 if you’re having an asthma attack and any of these apply:
- You do not have your inhaler with you
- You feel worse despite using your inhaler
- You do not feel better after 10 puffs of your inhaler
