But for those women with asthma, that joy can be tinged with worry that their baby could be at risk for problems stemming from their asthma medications or an asthma attack. So, patients with more severe asthma are the ones we are most concerned about. Schatz was part of a committee that has developed recommendations to help doctors choose which of about a dozen newly available asthma medicines are best for pregnant women. The recommendations appear in the May issue of the journal Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology .
Studies show that in about one-third of women, their asthma gets worse during pregnancy.
If existing asthma does worsen, it usually happens between weeks 24 and 36. Hormonal changes may be one potential cause. Uncontrolled asthma can rob oxygen from the baby. Some studies have shown asthma increases the baby's risk of premature birth, low birth weight, and stillbirth. Pregnant women with asthma are more at risk for pregnancy-induced high blood pressure.