Research suggests women with asthma may face increased risks in pregnancy. 

A recent meta-analysis by the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology shows that women with either preexisting asthma or who currently have asthma may be at a higher risk for preterm labor. Studies from 1975 – 2009 were compiled and revealed an increased risk for preterm labor, pre-eclampsia and increased risk of low birth weight. The asthma can be treated with inhaled corticosteroids but other medications may have an adverse effect on mother and baby. This information was brought to my attention by a dear friend and patient who is currently experiencing this first hand. Thankfully, she and baby are doing well. Having read the research, and in talking with her, I thought it be interesting look at this information from an acupuncture point of view.

What is the connection between asthma and reproduction in our terms?

The Lung, of course, is the first organ most people think of when discussing asthma but what is the Lung’s connection to our health in pregnancy? To help you understand I’m going to get into a little bit of Chinese medicine theory.

In acupuncture one of our jobs is to understand the relationship between the organs and their impact on our wellness. We recognize that each organ plays a significant role in health and therefore affects our organ systems functionality, whether it is in a negative or positive way. According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), one function of the Lung is to pull clean qi from our air and expel turbid qi through exhalation. This exchange of qi is what we define as respiration. However, this process is not solely controlled by the Lung; it involves the Kidney as well. The job of the Kidneys in respiration is to help grasp the qi as we inhale and absorb what’s called the vital qi energy. As you can see, the Kidneys play an important role in respiration.Equally important is the Kidneys role in reproduction. The Kidneys are said to govern development and reproduction; they are the foundation of these processes.  It is through these processes described in Chinese medicine that we acquire our energy and life through a combination of what we call prenatal and postnatal qi.

Prenatal qi can be compared to our genetic predisposition. We get our prenatal qi from our parents; this is why we strive to reach optimal health before conception. Postnatal qi is acquired through nutrition (Spleen) and through our breath (Lung). Prenatal and postnatal qi are combined and stored in our Kidneys. This allows the body's ability to perform all vital processes of life, including reproduction. The Kidney and the Lung, as with all the organs, have a relationship that greatly depends on the state of the other. This relationship between the Kidney and Lung can be defined as a bond like that of mother and child called: the generating cycle. So in theory, if the Lung function has been diminished or somehow hindered, this in turn would affect the Kidney and therefore growth and reproduction. When our organs are free of disease these processes function without hindrance.

Acupuncture and herbs are a great alternative for mothers looking for a natural, alternative method to treating asthma and related problems!  If you have any concerns, please call our office and find out what we can do for you.