Asthma is a chronic disease involving inflammation of the airways in the lungs. During pregnancy, asthma can pose risks to both the mother and developing fetus if not properly managed. The document outlines symptoms of asthma during pregnancy, risk factors, effects on pregnancy, classification of asthma severity, and recommendations for managing asthma with medications throughout pregnancy.

1. ASTHMA
PRESENTATION
MASENO UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF NURSING
DEPARTMENT OF MIDWIFERY
MN/03005/016
MN/03006/016

2. Introduction
■ Asthma is a chronic disease involving the airways in the lungs.
■ These airways or bronchial tubes allow air to come in and out of the lungs.
■ It may be due to airway inflammation hence poor air passage hence coughing,
wheezing, shortness of breath and chest tightness.
■ At pregnancy stage of a woman, the foetus in the womb depends on the
oxygen that the mother breaths.
■ The implant of an asthma exacerbation lack of enough oxygen to the
developing foetus hence great danger.
■ It then implies that women should manage asthma with prescribed medication
even in pregnancy unless clinically contraindicated.

3. Symptoms
■ There are general symptoms of asthma but different pregnant women may
manifest differently either severely or lesser.

4. Risk Factor
■ Respiratory infections such as cold, flu, bronchitis . Both bacterial and viral infections.
■ Cigarette smoking.
■ Gastroesophageal reflux disease.
■ Smoke from cooking or wood fire.
■ Emotionally upset.
■ Food allergy.
■ Allergic rhinitis.
■ Weather change especially cold.
■ Exercise.
■ Strong smell, spray, perfume, allergic reactions to certain chemicals.

5. Risk of Anaemia Pregnancy
■ Premature birth.
■ Low birth weight.
■ Still birth.
■ Hypertension in pregnancy.

6. Classification of Asthma Severity
■ Mild – occurs for 2 days, a week, ≥ 80% FEV.
■ Moderate – occurs daily with 60-80% FEV.
■ Severe – Occurs daily with less than 60% FEV.

7. Management of Chronic Asthma
during Pregnancy.
■ Patient education.
■ Environmental precipitating factors – avoidance and control.
■ Objective assessment of pulmonary and foetal wellbeing – monitor FEV.
■ Pharmacological therapy.

8. Step wise Therapy of Chronic Asthma
During Pregnancy
■ Mild intermittent – inhale as needed.
■ Mild persistent – low dose inhaled corticosteroids.
■ Moderate persistent – low dose inhaled corticosteroids and lung acting.
■ Severe persistent – high dose inhaled corticosteroids, lung acting and oral
steroids if needed.