Pregnant women with asthma should continue to use their asthma drugs to manage symptoms during pregnancy, according to new guidelines from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). The recommendations are based on research indicating that using medication to treat asthma in pregnant women is safer than permitting asthma exacerbations, which may deprive the fetus of oxygen. Asthma attacks have been linked to restricted fetal growth, premature birth, and maternal complications.

Pregnant women should use medication in the lowest effective dosage, and those with persistent asthma should undergo lung function testing periodically. All women with asthma should learn to avoid allergens and irritants that may trigger an attack.

For more details, go to ACOG's Web site at http://www.acog.org.