asthma and pregnancy!

[trevor]

Hi everyone....I'm new to this forum but am a regular in the open discussion forum. My wife is newly pregnant and our due date is around Jan 5.
She has pretty bad asthma and carries an inhaler with her. As I recall...it's been 13 years....during her pregnancy with our first child Matthew she was on a pill for asthma called Theodur(theophylline) and after he was born could not breast feed. She also had a few trips to the E.R. for the asthma and it was sometimes hard for her to breath because of the pressure of the baby. Anyway....I'm wondering if anyone out there has had severe asthma during pregnancy and if there are any tips to make it more comfortable for my wife the second time around? Also...regarding the theodur and breastfeeding....have you heard of that before Sheila?
Thanks for any input and tips that you all may have.

Trevor

 

[Brigid]

asthma & pregnancy

Hi Trevor - I'm not pregnant but as I was looking at the new threads your posting jumped out as I have been there. I do have 2 children (18 & 9) and I had to cope with asthma during both pregnancies. I'm NOT a medical person but I had to educate myself just as you and your wife are doing - you definitely want to find a doctor who is VERY knowledgeable about asthma. First, do they use theophyline much anymore? I did take it throughout my pregnancy with my now 18 year old & (interesting) I was never warned against breastfeeding! I now cope with my asthma with some of the new medications: I use a Flovent inhaler morning and night (and still carry a Ventolin inhaler to be used as needed). I have also used Singulair with success but I don't know if it is OK during pregnancy - it is very effective though. During my 2nd pregnancy with my now 9 year old daughter I had to see a perinatologist who specializes in high risk pregnancies and she really emphasized that it was far more important to control the asthma with medication and breathe so that the baby gets adequate oxygen than to worry about the medications effect on the pregnancy. If ever I was short of breath at all she wanted me to head to the clinic that was close to my house to be seen before I was in a full fledged attack. Fortunately, all turned out well. I hope this helps - congratulations to you and your wife!

 

[Heather Y]

I agree with Brigid...

I have asthma and have had two pregnancies. I am planning on getting pregnant again soon and just discussed my medication with my allergist a couple of weeks ago. He again stated that it is more important to keep the mother's asthma under control and recommended I stay with my current medications which do not appear to cause any problems. I also nursed both children on my medication. I was using Vanceril with the first two pregnancies but that medication doesn't work as well with me and I had a few asthma flare ups. I am now on Flovent - as Brigid is - and my doctor recommended I just stay on that medication since it works so much better for me.

Your wife needs to go to an Asthma/Allergy specialist if possible and get information from them about her medication. I've found my OB/GYN doesn't know that much about asthma medication. I get all my asthma info. from my asthma specialist doctor.

Good luck to you and your wife and congratulations!!!

 

[Sheila]

Theodur and vbreastfeeding

Hi Trevor,

Looks like you've gotten good information from the previous posts. I also agree that an asthma/allergy doc is the best place to ask this question. However, I have a question in to a internationally known lactation consultant regarding your question about theodur and breastfeeding. I will post again when I get an answer from them. Good luck!

Sheila Watkins

 

[trevor]

thanks ladies!!

appreciate your help!
Trevor