TTAP Asthma in Pregnancy

TTAP Asthma in Pregnancy Our investigators are based at HMRI in Newcastle, NSW.

Treatable Traits for Asthma Management in Pregnancy study investigates how other medical problems or behaviours (known as Treatable Traits) might affect asthma management in pregnancy. Treatable Traits for Asthma Management in Pregnancy study investigates how other medical problems or behaviours (known as Treatable Traits) might affect asthma management in pregnant women with asthma.

16/07/2025

People with asthma deserve to have an asthma treatment plan that suits their lifestyle 🙌 For some, that could be a preventer they use twice a day, but others might like the convenience of a preventer that is a once-a-day dose. Some love how a spacer helps more medicine make it to their lungs, others choose a reliever or preventer that comes in a dry-powder device, which doesn’t need a spacer at all!

Let us help you know your asthma options by calling us on 1800 ASTHMA (1800 278 462) or book a call at a time that suits you here: https://buff.ly/9ZRe6hR

An asthma crisis is a medical emergency. In this situation, an asthma attack will escalate very quickly to a severe atta...
16/07/2025

An asthma crisis is a medical emergency. In this situation, an asthma attack will escalate very quickly to a severe attack, and immediate medical attention is required. If in doubt about whether you or someone else is experiencing a severe asthma attack, always follow the 4-4-4 protocol:

4 puffs of a blue inhaler (sometimes will be a different colour)
4 breaths through a spacer (if available)
4 minutes waiting to see if symptoms resolve
Repeat as often as necessary.

Always ring 000 if there is any doubt, and request an ambulance.



Asthma in Pregnancy Toolkit TTAP Asthma in Pregnancy

Relievers are the lights and sirens of the asthma management world. They are the first responders that you need to turn ...
09/07/2025

Relievers are the lights and sirens of the asthma management world. They are the first responders that you need to turn to in an asthma attack.

If you are reaching for your ventolin/asmol/salbutamol more than twice a week, it's time to head to your GP and get an asthma action plan in place, and a script for a prevention medication. We discussed prevention medications last week, if you missed it be sure to check it out!



Asthma in Pregnancy Toolkit TTAP Asthma in Pregnancy

Good asthma management is all about prevention. The frontline prevention care are Inhaled Corticosteroids, or ICS.These ...
02/07/2025

Good asthma management is all about prevention. The frontline prevention care are Inhaled Corticosteroids, or ICS.

These types of medications work directly on inflammation, to reduce symptoms of asthma, and are sometimes combined with a muscle relaxant known as a long-acting beta-agonist, or ‘LABA’ to reduce airway constriction.

You will need a prescription from your doctor to be on a preventer, and this should be in combination with an asthma action plan.

If you are using your reliever more than twice a week for asthma symptoms, it's time to have a discussion with your GP to find out if you might need to start on a preventer medication.

We'll be covering asthma action plans in more detail in a few weeks, so stay tuned!



Asthma in Pregnancy Toolkit TTAP Asthma in Pregnancy

Inhalers are a key part of good asthma management in pregnancy. You have two major categories of inhaler, which are both...
25/06/2025

Inhalers are a key part of good asthma management in pregnancy. You have two major categories of inhaler, which are both safe to use during pregnancy.
Preventers: usually either an inhaled corticosteroid, or a combined therapy. These typically require a prescription from your doctor to purchase.
Relievers: Known in the medical world as 'SABA's', or 'Short-Acting-Beta-Agonists'. These are typically your over the counter blue puffers.

It is always safest for you and your baby to continue using your regular inhalers even when pregnant. We can help you better manage your asthma during your pregnancy, especially if you experience worsening symptoms.



Asthma in Pregnancy Toolkit TTAP Asthma in Pregnancy

Vitamin D sources from diet are really only limited to 4 different categories. These are:Oily Fish (eg. Salmon)EggsUV-li...
20/06/2025

Vitamin D sources from diet are really only limited to 4 different categories. These are:
Oily Fish (eg. Salmon)
Eggs
UV-light exposed mushrooms
Fortified margarine and milk products.

Vitamin D is primarily produced in our bodies as a result of sun exposure, but there can be a number of reasons why this may not be enough. For example, during winter many people have less sun exposure and have lowered levels of Vitamin D. Also, if you are someone who wears a burqa or niqa, or other full body covering, you will not be producing enough Vitamin D and will need to talk to your midwife or healthcare provider about Vitamin D supplements.



When breastfeeding your nutritional needs increase, because you are producing such a rich source of nutrition for your b...
19/06/2025

When breastfeeding your nutritional needs increase, because you are producing such a rich source of nutrition for your baby.

It's really important to eat a balanced heathy diet while breastfeeding, and to also consider supplementing where necessary.

Dietitians Australia have some really helpful guidelines, here are the key takeaways when it comes to daily servings:

Lean meats/Eggs/Nuts/Seeds: 2.5
Dairy/Dairy Alternatives: 4
Vegetables and Legumes: 7.5
Fruit: 2
Wholegrains: 9
Water: 8 Cups

Supplements recommended:
Vitamin D for you and your baby
Iodine

To find out more head to https://dietitiansaustralia.org.au/health-advice/pregnancy-and-breastfeeding



Dr Soriah Harvey is a qualified Nutritionist and Dietitian, and a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow with our Asthma and Preg...
18/06/2025

Dr Soriah Harvey is a qualified Nutritionist and Dietitian, and a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow with our Asthma and Pregnancy team.

In 2020, Dr Harvey published a paper that shared findings on how infant nutrition has a profound impact on all types of respiratory conditions. Breastmilk and/or formula are primary nutrition sources in the first six months of an infant's life.

Breastfeeding was found to have a positive impact on incidence of bronchiolitis, and the utilization of healthcare services.

These positive impacts were notably associated with breastfeeding for any amount of time, with increased benefits for longer durations observed.

To find out more you can read Dr Harvey's paper at https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ppul.24756



Dr Megan Jensen is an Advanced Accredited Practicing Dietitian and Early Career Research Fellow with the Asthma and Preg...
17/06/2025

Dr Megan Jensen is an Advanced Accredited Practicing Dietitian and Early Career Research Fellow with the Asthma and Pregnancy research team.

She has been a key voice in implementing change in nutrition guidelines for Vitamin D deficiency. She has shown that maternal levels of vitamin D during pregnancy have a direct impact on the likelihood of a child developing wheeze in the first 6 months of life.

You can see what Asthma Australia has to say about Dr Jensen's invaluable work on their website by following this link: https://asthma.org.au/research/research-projects/identifying-vitamin-d-levels-during-pregnancy-and-infant-respiratory-outcomes/



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University Of Newcastle
Newcastle, NSW

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