Allergies in pregnancy and childbirth
Pregnancy is a time of intense change within the female body. Hormonal changes have a profound influence on the immune system and allergic diseases may be affected by these changes. The hormones of pregnancy have steroidal type effects and which can dampen down allergies. But while in the pregnant state, the female immune system is down-regulated to prevent rejection of the foetus (which is immunologically a "foreign organism"). This state of increased immune tolerance has the spin-off of less direct vigilance against foreign substances. However, the allergy triggering potential of the immune system may be heightened.What happens to existing allergies in pregnancy
Asthma for example may become worse with frequent attacks, it may even occur for the first time in pregnancy. But paradoxically it may become less severe and easier to control during pregnancy. Good Asthma control is important in pregnancy to maintain an adequate oxygen supply to growing foetus. Prematurity and low birth weight may result from poor asthma control in the mother. Most asthma drugs can be safely used in pregnancy and there is no evidence that there is any increased risk to the foetus. We do however recommend the lowest possible doses of any medication sufficient to control symptoms in the pregnant mother.Nasal allergies often occur for the first time in pregnancy. Pregnant mothers are prone to nasal blockage and irritating nasal symptoms and increased nasal discharge. This state of affairs seems to be triggered by the hormones present in pregnancy.
Urticaria and allergy-like rashes are also common in pregnancy. One particular rash that is peculiar to pregnancy is the Pruritis and Urticaria Papules and Plaques in Pregnancy ( PUPPP syndrome). This manifests with intensely itchy eruptions, particularly on the lower abdomen and upper thighs of the pregnant person. After the birth, the rash rapidly disappears but can be most debilitating during the last few months of pregnancy. Eczema on the other hand often improves in pregnancy and this may possibly be due to the increase in the bodies natural cortisone-like steroids that are produced during pregnancy.
Preventing allergies in the unborn infant
As far as the unborn baby’s health is concerned, the pregnancy and treatment thereof can have profound impact on the foetus’s health and predisposition to allergy. We know that if the mother has allergies there is a 30% chance of her baby having an allergy. If both parents have allergy, the baby’s risk increases to 60% and if both parents have the same allergy for example asthma, then the risk of allergy in the unborn baby reaches 80%. Maternal smoking during pregnancy and the eating of allergy provoking foods in her diet in the last few months of pregnancy may encourage allergic diseases to develop in the baby. The evidence is still not convincing that diet in early pregnancy makes any difference.read more
