Asthma Management in Pregnancy

Safety and Efficacy of Medications

• The American College of Allergy and Clinical Immunology recommends albuterol as the preferred short-acting beta-agonist during pregnancy because of extensive human safety data 1
• Maintaining asthma control during pregnancy is critical because uncontrolled asthma increases risks of perinatal mortality, pre-eclampsia, preterm birth, and low-birth-weight infants 1
• It is safer for pregnant women to be treated with asthma medications than to have asthma symptoms and exacerbations, as maintaining lung function ensures adequate oxygen supply to the fetus 1
• Monitoring asthma control and lung function during prenatal visits is necessary, as the course of asthma improves in one-third of women and worsens in one-third during pregnancy 1
• Monthly evaluations allow opportunities to step up therapy if necessary or step down if possible 1
• Withholding necessary bronchodilator therapy due to pregnancy concerns should be avoided, as the risks of maternal hypoxemia and uncontrolled asthma far exceed the theoretical risks of these medications 1