Asthma is a common chronic disease among women and affects more than one in 10 pregnancies, with the potential to adversely affect the health of both mother and fetus.^1-4

Maternal asthma is associated with adverse perinatal outcomes, including preterm birth, low birthweight, pre-eclampsia, caesarean section and gestational diabetes, among others.^5-8

Some of these risks, including low birthweight and preterm birth, are increased further in women with more severe disease and those with exacerbations during pregnancy.⁹

Recent Australian data on perinatal outcome differences between women with and without asthma during pregnancy showed women with asthma were significantly more likely to experience preterm labour, preterm premature rupture of membranes, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, polyhydramnios and to require antenatal corticosteroids or caesarean section.