Pregnancy and Pulmonary Conditions

Pre-existing lung conditions may include:

• Asthma
• Cystic fibrosis
• Pulmonary hypertension
• Vocal cord dysfunction
• Other diseases, such as sarcoidosis.

Lung conditions that arise during pregnancy may include:

• Asthma
• Pulmonary hypertension
• Pulmonary embolism

Women with pre-existing lung conditions who are planning a pregnancy and women who develop lung problems during pregnancy require specialized care. In these cases, it is very important that a team of specialists in multiple disciplines – including maternal-fetal medicine, pulmonology, and anesthesiology – be closely involved in the care of both the mother and the baby.

For women with significant pre-existing lung conditions, planning with the medical team should begin before conception in order to understand how to best manage conditions during pregnancy.

Adjustments in medication may be recommended prior to conception. Mothers should not reduce or discontinue medications on their own.

A detailed prenatal care plan will address the mother’s individual health issues. Ideally, medication adjustments and planning are started before or early in the pregnancy. The mother’s symptoms and pulmonary function need to be carefully monitored by the team throughout pregnancy.

Affecting roughly one in 10 pregnant women, asthma is among the more common lung conditions seen in women of child-bearing age. Rhinitis and gastroesophageal reflux disease (heartburn), both common conditions during pregnancy, can trigger asthma symptoms.

During pregnancy, a multidisciplinary care team can help mothers best control asthma symptoms and avoid asthma exacerbations that can lead to hospitalization. Often, medications change or doses increase during pregnancy to achieve optimal control of symptoms.

In addition to the prenatal care team, obstetric anesthesiologists are a key part of the delivery process. A delivery plan developed by the multidisciplinary medical team should anticipate different scenarios that may occur during delivery. Asthma and other lung conditions also may worsen after delivery. Coordination among specialists is very important in optimizing care during delivery and the postpartum period.

Experts in maternal-fetal medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital work closely with specialists in the Women’s Lung Health Program, an innovative, multidisciplinary collaboration among expert pulmonologists, pulmonary vascular specialists, thoracic surgeons, laryngologists, infectious disease specialists, geneticists, medical oncologists, and dietitians. Drawing on the renowned expertise in women’s health and gender-based research at BWH, the Women’s Lung Health Program aims to provide comprehensive and tailored disease management to address the specific needs of female patients with lung disease, including asthma, chronic lung infections, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), dyspnea, genetics, LAM, lung cancer, pulmonary hypertension, and vocal cord dysfunction.

To schedule an appointment or to learn more about our services, please contact us at (617) 732-4840.

Our program is located at:

Brigham and Women’s Hospital
CWN-3
75 Francis Street
Boston, MA 02115

Pregnancy and Pulmonology Program Leaders

Sarah E. Little, MD
Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine

Nicole A. Smith, MD, MPH
Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine

• Video - Having Your Baby at Brigham and Women’s Hospital
• Learn more about gender specific care for women with lung diseases.