Whoever had experience with allergies knows very well that it is crucial to properly manage the condition at all times, but this is even more important for women who are currently pregnant. Since this is a period when the body undergoes certain radical changes, maintaining your general health and wellbeing is necessary in order to avoid any complications that might affect either you or your baby.
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Regardless of your medical profile, visiting a doctor shortly after learning that you are pregnant is highly recommended. In this way you can learn about any special precautions that you might need to take if necessary.
Hormonal changes and allergies – is there a link?
The onset of pregnancy is known to trigger the release of numerous hormones, temporarily disrupting the usual hormonal balance. This process can alter the way your body reacts to certain stimuli and there is certain risk that your allergies can change during pregnancy and it is not so rare that women experience allergies for the first time shortly after conceiving.
On the other hand, some women may notice that their allergy symptoms are actually improving during pregnancy which just goes to show how unpredictable this period is. Regardless, if you notice any change in your allergies, either an improvement or worsening of the condition, you should speak to your doctor immediately so he can reassess your condition and change your therapy if needed.
Allergy medications during pregnancy
Many people struggling with allergies will take certain regular treatments as to keep their condition under control and their symptoms at a manageable level. Naturally, the exact nature of the treatment will vary among individuals depending on the kind and severity of their allergies. While it is important not to make any changes to your treatment without talking to your doctor beforehand, it is likely that pregnancy might require certain changes to the dose or type of medication you are taking.
Completely halting your allergy treatment is definitely not a good idea since this can put at risk both you and your unborn baby. Luckily, there are many allergy treatments that can be safely used during pregnancy, so it is important to talk to your doctor as soon as possible so he can make required changes to your therapy.
Finally, it is important to ensure that the details of your allergies are written in your pregnancy notes so the clinical team can have all the relevant info at one place.
Managing food allergies during pregnancy
This one can be especially tricky. While you will, of course, avoid certain foods because of intolerance or possibility of an allergic reaction, you should still maintain a healthy and balanced diet with a proper range of nutrients in order to ensure health and healthy development of your baby. In order to balance between these two, you should talk to a doctor who will help you make a diet plan that ensures that nothing essential is missing from your diet.
During hospital stay
Over the course of your pregnancy you will come into contact with a number of different healthcare professionals and specialists. While they might and probably will be specialised in different areas of medicine, you should still inform all of them about your allergies so they can ensure your safety in different stages of pregnancy.
On the other hand, if you have severe allergy and there is a significant risk of being admitted to hospital as a result of a severe allergic reaction, you might want to consider buying a piece of medical alert jewellery that will warn the medical staff about your allergy, thus ensuring that they received all the relevant information even if you are incapacitated at the moment.
Finally, if you are allergic to any specific medicine or active ingredient, you should consult with your doctor or midwife and ask if the given substance appears in the medicines that are usually used during giving birth and managing pregnancy. If you will be using allergy medicines throughout your pregnancy, including in the hospital, make sure to mention that to the medical staff so they can avoid any potentially dangerous drug interactions.
Are allergies hereditary? Will my child inherit it?
Sadly, there is no way to know the answer to this question with certainty. Some medical experts suggest that allergies are hereditary, at least in a certain percentage of those affected. Some estimates indicate that if one of the parents has an allergy, the child has roughly 30% chances of developing the same condition, with this number increasing to somewhere between 60 and 80% if both parents struggle with allergies.
As of now, there is no evidence that might suggest that allergies can be prevented by medications, precautions or any other method applied during pregnancy. The most you can do is simply trying to remain healthy, eat a balanced diet, remain active when possible and avoid exposure to tobacco smoke. In addition to this, there have been certain claims that breastfeeding can provide certain protection against developing allergies. However, while the NHS confirms that breastfeeding has many health benefits, allergy protection isn’t listed as one of them.
Staying healthy during pregnancy
The number one priority for all pregnant women should be staying healthy as this is the best way to ensure the health of their baby. There are several crucial points that you should keep in mind:
- Make regular appointments with your doctor so that your allergy can be assessed and medication changed (if needed)
- Follow the doctor’s instructions when it comes to taking your medicines
- Eat a well-balanced diet with enough nutrients
- Remain active and take part in regular exercises for pregnant women
- Inform every medical professional you have contact with during your pregnancy about your allergies