Sit the person upright— Be calm and reassuring— Do not leave them alone

Give 4 puffs of blue reliever puffer medication— Use a spacer if there is one— Shake puffer— Put 1 puff into spacer— Take 4 breaths from spacerRepeat until 4 puffs have been taken

Remember: Shake, 1 puff, 4 breaths

Wait 4 minutes— If there is no improvement, give

4 more puffs as above

If there is still no improvement call emergency assistance (DIAL OOO)*— Say ‘ambulance’ and that someone is

having an asthma attack— Keep giving 4 puffs every 4 minutes

until emergency assistance arrives*If calling Triple Zero (000) does not work on your mobile phone, try 112

Call emergency assistance immediately (DIAL 000)— If the person is not breathing— If the person’s asthma suddenly becomes worse, or is

not improving — If the person is having an asthma attack and a puffer

is not available— If you are not sure if it’s asthmaBlue reliever medication is unlikely to harm, even if the person does not have asthma

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To find out more contact your local Asthma Foundation 1800 ASTHMA (1800 278 462) asthmaaustralia.org.au Translating and

Interpreting Service 131 450© Asthma Australia 2013 Supported by the Australian Government

DL AA First Aid Poster.indd 1 3/02/13 5:02 PM

This brochure, developed by Asthma Australia, provides basic information about managing asthma while you are pregnant.

To find out more about asthma contact your local Asthma Foundation

1800 ASTHMA (1800 278 462) asthmaaustralia.org.au

Asthma & PregnancyBreathing for two: what you should do

All Asthma Australia information is endorsed by our Medical and Scientific Advisory Committee and is consistent with the National Asthma Council Australia clinical guidelines.

Asthma Australia information does not replace professional medical advice. People should ask their doctor any questions about diagnosis and treatment.

©Asthma Australia 2012

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Australia License.To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/au/ or send a letter toCreative Commons, 444 Castro Street, Suite 900, Mountain View, California, 94041, USA.

Translating and Interpreting Service 131 450

Pregnant or planning a pregnancy?

Looking after your asthma is more important than ever. You will be breathing for yourself and your baby.

Living well with your asthma means you can provide the best protection for your baby.

However, it is possible that your asthma could become worse with pregnancy. Make sure you are well prepared.

DO:

— Keep taking your asthma medication, including your daily preventer.

— Be sure your obstetrician, doctor or midwife knows you have asthma and alert them to any change in your symptoms.

— Develop an asthma plan with your obstetrician or doctor. This will describe which medications you need, when to take them and what to do if your asthma becomes worse.

Will my asthma become worse?

There is a significant chance it could, so prevention is vital. Around half of the women in Australia with asthma will find it becomes temporarily worse during pregnancy.

The risk of a serious asthma attack is higher if you stop taking your asthma medications. Follow your asthma plan and have regular health checks throughout your pregnancy.

Will asthma medications harm my baby?

Most asthma medications, both preventers and relievers, are safe and should be continued during pregnancy. If you stop taking your medications there is a far greater risk of harm to your baby as it increases your chance of a serious asthma attack.

Can I just put up with asthma symptoms while I’m pregnant?

No — this is unsafe and not recommended. Asthma can increase the risk of pregnancy complications such as low birth weight, pre-term birth or lack of oxygen.

What happens if I have an asthma attack while I’m pregnant?

It should be treated the same as an attack that occurs at any other time. Commence Asthma First Aid. Remember to tell ambulance and emergency staff that you are pregnant.

Hayfever and allergy control?

If hayfever or other allergies trigger your asthma symptoms, you may be able to treat this with medications. Speak to your doctor or midwife before buying or taking allergy medications.

Need help to quit smoking?

Smoking is harmful to your unborn baby, and increases the chance that your baby will develop asthma or have other health problems. It can also make your own asthma worse. There has never been a more important time to quit. For help, speak to your doctor or call the Quitline on 13 78 48.

Is your asthma well-managed?

Do you?

Ever wake up at night coughing, wheezing or breathless?

Become short of breath with normal activity?

Use your blue reliever puffer 3 or more times a week?

If you answered YES to any of these questions, see your obstetrician, doctor or midwife.

What should I do now?

Tell your obstetrician, doctor or midwife that you have asthma and if your asthma gets worse

Get an asthma plan from your obstetrician or doctor

Keep taking your preventer medication

Always carry your reliever medication with you

Have regular asthma check-ups during your pregnancy

Look after your asthma during pregnancy.

Remember: if you can’t

breathe, neither can your baby!