Can a doctor predict how asthma will affect a particular pregnancy?
Dr. Fisher: Usually not. Sometimes past pregnancies are a clue but not always. If you had trouble with one of your other pregnancies it is especially important that you be monitored carefully but that is not always a good predictor. I consider it so important that I usually do a breathing test on my pregnant asthmatics at least once during the first trimester and monitor them closely throughout the pregnancy, often on a monthly basis. Q: Going back to the woman who does have asthma and is pregnant, do changes need to be made to the medications she has been taking for asthma before pregnancy? Dr. Fisher: The important thing about asthma, pregnancy and medications is not to stop medicines without consulting your doctor. Everyone is always afraid when they are pregnant and they want to stop their medicines. They do not want to take anything. I remember when I was pregnant someone gave me a cough drop and I quickly spit it out because I was concerned about what was in it. Well, I know that
