Asthma and allergies can cause serious complications during pregnancy and often they are misdiagosed or mistreated. Recognition of factors that can aggravate asthma, implementation and adherence to treatment guidelines, and diligent follow-up are important in midwifery management. Patient education is particularly important for prevention of asthma exacerbations. With careful control of asthma and allergic rhinitis, if present, excellent obstetric outcomes can be expected. This article examines ways that nurses and midwives can recognise the symptoms quicker.

Anna Nolte - Professor of midwifery, University of Johannesburg Department of Nursing Science, Johannesburg, South Africa

Marie Hastings-Tolsma - Professor, Baylor University, Dallas, Texas, USA

Flavia Hoyte - Assistant professor of allergy and immunology, National Jewish Health and University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, Colorado, USA