asthma

[momof2babies]

I went to my 18 week apt today and got lectured about my asthma. He went on about it for about 40 minutes because I've had a slight wheeze for about two weeks straight. He kept telling me things like even though I don't feel short of breath I'm still depriving the baby of oxygen. At one point he said I needed to quit being lazy and take care of because I'm suffocating my baby. Ok so my oxygen levels were 99% and I haven't been breathing heavy my normal inhaler isn't working and the next step is steroid treatment which I don't want my baby exposed to because side effected of the steroid used for asthma is bone density issues. What do you ladies think is my ob just being terrible or should I go see my gp and get steroids

 

[fairsinger]

If your GP usually manages your asthma care, I would see him. The GP should have a lot more knowledge about asthma and the treatment side effects than the OB. I have a chronic medical condition and my OB always defers to what my specialist says.

 

[fairsinger]

Oh, and I should clarify that I would see the GP and get his opinion, not taking the steroids unless the GP also agrees with the OB.

 

[luz]

I have asthma and take symbicort- a steroid inhaler usually every day or every other day. The recommend dose is two puffs twice a day but I only ever need one puff. I also used it with my first and he turned out perfectly healthy. I think the benefits definitely outweigh the risks in this situation so I have no problem using it.

 

[J.D.]

I'm asthmatic, and at every turn, I've been told that the lack of oxygen is far worse than any side effects of steroids/bronchialdialators.

I had a really bad cold around 14 weeks and I had to be on a nebuliser just to breathe, as well as oral steroids. I tried to object but my GP just shook his head and said they're safer than you not breathing properly. Sure enough, they fixed my lungs right up.

I have a lot of guilt over the amount of medications I took in that week. But it was very short term, so I'm hoping the effects were minimised.

 

[momof2babies]

thanks for responding the steroids they want me to use aren't inhaled steroids because they take weeks to work they want me to take prednisone for five days but I did talk to my doctor witch did make me feel better about it he said a mild attack that isn't helped with albuterol can quickly become severe and that will harm the baby and the bone issues he said are with long term use

 

[luz]

thanks for responding the steroids they want me to use aren't inhaled steroids because they take weeks to work they want me to take prednisone for five days but I did talk to my doctor witch did make me feel better about it he said a mild attack that isn't helped with albuterol can quickly become severe and that will harm the baby and the bone issues he said are with long term use

Inhaled steroids take weeks to work? When I first started on my inhaler at the most it was maybe 5 minutes... I'm a little weary about prednisone though. However- listen to your doctors. They know best.

 

[Nicolalove353]

I was super sick in my first tri and they had me on a nebuliser with steroids. I was worried bout taking it but all Dr.'s said it was safe. I guess it makes sense that breathing is the most important thing for baby. It is horrible that your Dr. talked to you like that. Like you can really control your asthma. Especially if your oxygen level was 99%. Whatever you choose to do, good luck and I'm sure your baby will stay safe

 

[broodymrs]

If your oxygen was 99% why would you need oral steroids? I was prescribed these too but didn't want to take them so spoke to a different dr who agreed oral steroids were excessive and only a last resort so put me on steroid inhaler which did the trick. It worked really quick too. Oral steroids go directly into your bloodstream and so are higher risk to baby than inhaler. Your health is v important but i would get a second opinion if i were you xx

 

[momof2babies]

It is horrible that your Dr. talked to you like that. Like you can really control your asthma. Especially if your oxygen level was 99%. Whatever you choose to do, good luck and I'm sure your baby will stay safe

that's why I was so mad. In the past I've always been told if I'm not short of breath don't worry to much because that makes things worse. When I left my appointment I was about to drop him and go sign up with the birth center.