Did you know ? 8% of pregnant women have asthma. Future mothers who wonder: “Can I continue to take my treatment, is it safe for my baby?” “To this question, Professor Chenivesse’s answer is very clear:” Inhaled asthma drugs can be used without any fear for the mother and the fetus. And it is essential not to interrupt treatment during this key period ”. Among them, in particular : inhaled corticosteroids and beta-2 mimetic bronchodilators.
Be careful with the pictogram
However, a decree dating from the end of 2017, encourages pharmaceutical companies to affix a pictogram on medicine boxes. Son but : warn against their “teratogenic” effects (which can cause malformations to the fetus) or “fetotoxic”. ” This pictogram has been affixed much too broadly by pharmaceutical companies to protect themselves. Result: instead of appearing only on toxic drugs, it also appears on those that are safe, and this is the case of asthma drugs », Warns the specialist. The risks of stopping treatment? « If left unchecked, flare-ups of asthma can deprive the baby of oxygen and cause complications. “Warns Dr. Chenivesse.
Asthma treatment: why is it essential?
Potentially fatal when left untreated, asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the bronchial tubes. During pregnancy, changes in the immune system tend to exacerbate seizures… ” However, uncontrolled asthma can have serious repercussions on a mother’s health; gestational diabetes, placental abruption, premature rupture of membranes, hemorrhage … And, with each crisis, it is the baby who suffers since it is deprived of oxygen. », Explains Cécile Chenivesse. Consequence: growth retardation, low weight, slight congenital malformations or prematurity may result, in the child, from untreated asthma in the mother. ” In France, many women reduce or stop their treatment once pregnant, for fear of a teratogenic effect of drugs. However, the treatments are safe and all international and national recommendations are final. Asthma must be treated, without the slightest reservation, during these nine months », Concludes the expert. Of course, if you have asthma and you are pregnant, or planning to become pregnant, talk to the doctor or midwife who follows you, and set up very regular follow-up.
If in doubt, go to the CRAT website which lists the real risks of drugs.