Related Experiment Videos
The treatment of the asthmatic mother during pregnancy and lactation
In summary, the management of asthma in the pregnant patient does not differ much from the management of asthma in a patient who is not pregnant. An awareness of how asthma medications affect the fetus is important since it is rare to reach the ideal management where no medication at all is given. The benefit to risk ratio must be considered for both mother and her fetus should be medication be required. Since hypoxemia is the greatest single danger to both the mother and fetus important medications should not be withheld and the physician should not wait too long. The mother should be counseled about avoiding medications that include tetracycline, iodine products, aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, tartrazine, sedatives, and beta-adrenergic blocking agents. It is just as important to remember that alcohol and cigarettes are potent drugs or interact with other medications. Inapropriate exercise, irritants or allergens might also require counseling so that the pregnant mother can avoid them. A good common sense and caring approach of a physician to a well informed patient represents the most appropriate management of asthma in the pregnant patient and nursing mother.
In summary, the management of asthma in the pregnant patient does not differ much from the management of asthma in a patient who is not pregnant. An awareness of how asthma medications affect the fetus is important since it is rare to reach the ideal management where no medication at all is given. The benefit to risk ratio must be considered for both mother and her fetus should be medication be required. Since hypoxemia is the greatest single danger to both the mother and fetus important medications should not be withheld and the physician should not wait too long. The mother should be counseled about avoiding medications that include tetracycline, iodine products, aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, tartrazine, sedatives, and beta-adrenergic blocking agents. It is just as important to remember that alcohol and cigarettes are potent drugs or interact with other medications. Inapropriate exercise, irritants or allergens might also require counseling so that the pregnant mother can avoid them. A good common sense and caring approach of a physician to a well informed patient represents the most appropriate management of asthma in the pregnant patient and nursing mother.