Most pregnant women with asthma can use the same medication to control their symptoms as non-pregnant women with asthma. In fact, taking the asthma medication regularly can actually help to keep the fetus healthy.

The fetus depends on the mother’s blood and lungs to keep it well supplied with oxygen. When an asthma attack occurs in the mother’s body, the airways in her lungs become constricted, preventing the oxygen from circulating throughout the body. This effectively cuts off the oxygen supply of the fetus, and this can be detrimental to its growth. Therefore, while there are some minor risks in taking asthma medication during pregnancy, the risk of harm to the fetus without them are far greater.

Controller (or preventive) and rescue inhalers, containing steroid medication, albuterol, orcorticosteroids are all safe for pregnant women and should be available to them at all times. Inhalers are safe as they only deliver medication to the lungs. Oral steroids should be avoided unless absolutely necessary and that goes for all other oral medication. Oral medication is delivered through the blood, which also supplies the fetus, and may have unwanted effects on the fetus.