prednisone/ asthma while pregnant

happyyear7

I have severe asthma and have a respiratory infection. It won't go away and is getting progressively worse. Usually, I take the steriod prednisone for this. My dr called it in for me and said while there are not many studies on it during pregnancy I can take it if my condition becomes worse (which it has)I am going to check with my primary tommorrow to get a second opinion. Has anyone had a history of resipratory infections while pregnant? What did you take?

eas15905

I have asthma but it's not severe.  It does get really bad when I have colds though and my doctor said that the baby getting oxygen is more important than me using my inhaler once.  I have only used it once since being pg so I'm not too worried. 

mfc2b4

I have seen women at my pharmacy take prednisone during their entire pregnancy due to inflammatory bowel issues and have healthy babies. If you have gestational diabetes, prednisone will make your blood sugars high. That being said, I would limit my exposure to any drug, but it seems as though the benefit to you (the mama) outweighs any potential issue with baby.

 

Pregnancy: Category C (per Briggs' Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation; Category D if used in first trimester). Because adequate human reproduction studies have not been done with corticosteroids, the use of these drugs in pregnancy or by women of childbearing potential requires that the possible benefits of the drug be weighed against the potential hazards to the mother and embryo or fetus. Studies have shown that the use of prednisone poses a small risk (eg, orofacial clefts) to the fetus. There is also evidence that some corticosteroids are effective in the management of various maternal diseases.

CJB8

I had very minor asthma before pregnancy but once I got pregnant, it got very bad.  I had to see a pulmonologist.  He put me on pulmicort and xopenox (both inhalers).   They said if neither worked, they next step was to take steroids   I was very hesitant to start the meds but as my doctor said, if you aren't getting enough oxygen, neither is the baby.  I'd definitely get another opinion to put your mind at ease and maybe another doctor would have different ideas.    What doctor gave you the prednisone?  might be worth seeing a pulmonologist, I know my primary was absolutely clueless, the meds he gave me were a total waste!

good luck, hope you are feeling better soon, I wasn't sleeping or breathing well but I feel like a new woman with these meds!

patrickandkim

CJB8:

I had very minor asthma before pregnancy but once I got pregnant, it got very bad.  I had to see a pulmonologist.  He put me on pulmicort and xopenox (both inhalers).   They said if neither worked, they next step was to take steroids   I was very hesitant to start the meds but as my doctor said, if you aren't getting enough oxygen, neither is the baby.  I'd definitely get another opinion to put your mind at ease and maybe another doctor would have different ideas.    What doctor gave you the prednisone?  might be worth seeing a pulmonologist, I know my primary was absolutely clueless, the meds he gave me were a total waste!

good luck, hope you are feeling better soon, I wasn't sleeping or breathing well but I feel like a new woman with these meds!

 

Ditto.  I had issues with DD and I was afraid to take meds.  The doc put it into perspective by saying I am no good to the baby if I am not breathing.  To that I said pass the nebulizer...lol.

kpeterso76

I take prednisone every day (and have for a long time) for IBD.  My GI doctor and OB are both ok with me taking it.  Thankfully, pregnancy has made my IBD much better and I'm tapering.  But I was as high as 15mg a day in early pregnancy.  It the choice is between you being seriously ill and taking steroids, the best thing for you and baby is the steroids.

happyyear7

Thanks everyone! I am leaning towards taking them. I am going to call my doc and OB tomorrow first!