Asthma during Pregnancy: The Experiences, Concerns and Views of Pregnant Women with Asthma

Abstract

Objective. To investigate how pregnant women manage their asthma during pregnancy and factors influencing their behavior. Methods. In-depth interviews (telephone or face-to-face) with a purposive sample of 23 asthmatic women at various stages of pregnancy and with varying severity of asthma. Results. Five major themes were discerned relating to health behavior of pregnant women with asthma. Many of the participants decreased or discontinued their asthma medications themselves and refrained from taking doses when necessary during pregnancy without consulting their doctors. Reasons behind their decisions revolved around lack of support and information about what to do, concerns about the safety of the medications, past experiences, and desire for an “all natural” pregnancy. Asthma monitoring during pregnancy was seen as a low priority for some women and their doctors. Communication between pregnant women and health professionals regarding asthma management was poor. The health behavior of pregnant women with asthma could be explained using the Health Beliefs Model. Conclusions. Pregnant women are not well supported in managing asthma during pregnancy, despite being concerned about outcomes. Interventions, education, and more support are warranted and wanted by pregnant women with asthma to optimize pregnancy and neonatal outcomes.

• adherence
• inhaled corticosteroids
• obstetrics
• in depth interviewing

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank all the women who participated in the study. They also thank the Asthma Foundation of Victoria for supporting and endorsing the research. The authors also thank Paul Drinkwater, Gordon Spalding, and Tania Fletcher, all of Mercy Hospital for Women, Victoria, for facilitating participant recruitment.

Declaration of Interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.