Respiratory disorders in childbearing

In the United Kingdom respiratory diseases account for around 19% of all deaths in women; these respiratory-related deaths are linked with a number of factors such as smoking and socioeconomic deprivation. Furthermore, approximately 10,000 people are given new diagnoses of respiratory diseases each week (British Lung Foundation 2018). Therefore, midwives are highly likely to come into contact with women who have pre-existing respiratory disease, such as asthma or cystic fibrosis, or who develop new conditions, such as pneumonia, during pregnancy or the postnatal period. Whilst midwives may not have the expertise to take a lead in caring for these women, having an understanding of how respiratory disorders can impact on the experiences and outcomes of childbearing women, their babies and families will help them to co-ordinate and contribute to safe care and management. This chapter briefly summarises the physiological adaptations to respiration during pregnancy and outlines the presentation, treatment and pregnancy-related issues for women with asthma, cystic fibrosis, pneumonia, tuberculosis and sarcoidosis.