Asthma during pregnancy.
Ineffectively controlled asthma during gestation must be avoided to protect the fetus from untoward effects of maternal hypoxemia and hypocarbia. With current therapy and a compliant gravida, the outcome of pregnancy can be similar to the general population. Physician confidence in antiasthma medications is important. Respiratory distress has pregnancy implications by 20-24 weeks gestation and it is important to have fetal assessment documented when the gravida is treated in the emergency room or during hospitalization for status asthmaticus.