Managing your allergy during pregnancy
Pregnancy can lead to a number of changes in the body that you might not expect, with many mums-to-be noticing new and interesting things like a heightened sense of smell or an unusual sensitivity to light. Changing levels of hormones in the body can cause these changes, so as an allergy sufferer you may find that you respond differently to allergens – these are the substances that trigger allergic reactions, with the most common ones being pollen, house dust mites, mould and pets. For some expectant mums the symptoms are more intense whilst for others they decrease. But as this can’t necessarily be predicted, it’s good to be aware that these changes may occur. If your symptoms do increase, you should ask your doctor for advice.
Living with an allergy means taking good care of yourself at all times, and pregnancy is no exception. While emphasis is often on the baby’s health, yours is just as important, so getting the right treatment for your allergy is essential. Although it’s generally a good idea to avoid taking any medication during pregnancy, it’s also important that you don’t suddenly stop taking prescribed medication, such as an inhaler for asthma, as this could cause your symptoms to worsen. Instead ask your doctor for advice.
You should also let your midwife know about your allergies at your booking in appointment, so she can add the details to your pregnancy medical notes and records and keep an eye on any changes. If you’re allergic to any particular foods, drugs or substances such as latex, which you will come into contact with in a medical environment, it’s especially important that they’re recorded on your handheld pregnancy records and that you carry them with you – just in case you have to make an unexpected trip to the hospital.
When it comes to medication, you may just need to switch to another type whilst you’re pregnant and breastfeeding. Your doctor, midwife or pharmacist will be able to advise you about what’s safe. So don’t worry if you’re not able to take your usual medication, there are plenty of other treatments available, which means you shouldn’t have to suffer with your symptoms.
Food hypersensitivity
There’s often some confusion around the difference between a food allergy and an intolerance. A food allergy occurs when the body’s immune system overreacts to a food substance and treats it as an allergen – it often happens straight after eating, sometimes within the hour. A food intolerance, on the other hand, does not involve the immune system and it usually takes much longer for symptoms to appear. It’s often caused by the body being unable to properly digest and absorb something – if we use lactose intolerance as an example, it’s caused by a deficiency in the lactase enzyme, which breaks down lactose. The term ‘food hypersensitivity’ is used to describe all reactions to foods – including allergy and intolerance.
If you have a diagnosed food hypersensitivity and are excluding certain foods from your diet, it’s important to ensure that what you do eat contains enough of the right nutrients for you and your baby. A healthy pregnancy diet should be balanced and varied and include at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. Oily fish is also important, although it is recommended that you only eat two portions of fresh oily fish each week. If you decide to take a fish oil supplement, you should avoid any containing vitamin A, such as fish liver oils, as too much of this can be harmful to your unborn baby. You should only take supplements that indicate they are safe for use in pregnancy, and always consult your healthcare professional before starting any supplements.
But if your allergy or intolerance is to a large food group, such as dairy or wheat products, and you’re excluding a number of key foods, there’s a chance that you might not be getting adequate nutrition. If this is the case, you should see your doctor for guidance or ask them to refer you to a dietitian for extra support.
If you are in any way concerned about managing your allergy during pregnancy, you should consult your doctor or midwife. Or if you have any questions or need some advice contact our experts, call them anytime on 0800 996 1000, or get in touch via Live Chat, our online messaging service, available between 8am-8pm, Monday to Friday.