Prescribed 75mg aspirin from 12 weeks, not entirely comfortable taking it

[Gingerbreadpixie]

Hi all. At my first consultant appointment at 5 weeks I was told that as a type 1 diabetic I should take this low dose aspirin daily from 12 weeks without much explanation (that I understood, anyway!). Well 12 weeks is here and I just feel v uncomfortable with the thought of taking it.

I posted a message in the T1diabetic pregnancy thread and some of the ladies had been told to take it and some hadn't. From what I now understand it aids blood flow to the placenta and can reduce the risk of pre-eclampsia.

So there are sound reasons for taking, it seems to be standard in NHS guidelines in diabetic pregnancy but I'm still uncertain about it. Not helpd by the fact I have OCD and anxiety around fear of contaminating/damaging the baby.

If anyone could let me know their experiences of taking 75mg of aspirin in pregnancy I think it might help. Thanks x

[Ellypoo]

Hi, I was told to take a 75mg aspirin daily from BFP due to my DD1 dying aged 2 days as a result of blood clots in the placenta leading to oxygen starvation - no question for me! If consultant has said to take it, I'd do it - they are specialists and know what they are talking about. If you are unsure, could you speak to your consultant again for them to explain exactly why they have recommended taking them? May help set your mind at rest. Fwiw my consultant said the benefits of taking low dose aspirin far outweigh the risks, especially after 12 weeks.

[scaevola]

If you don't want to take it, then don't.

If however you develop one of the conditions it is meant to prevent, then you will end up blaming yourself. If you are not sure about what conditions those are, or their severity and impact, then speak to someone you know to be medically qualified. Especially if you are trying to weigh up the advice of a senior doctor who has seen you in person against someone on line.

[Twinklestarstwinklestars]

I've been taking it since my bfp (now 18 weeks) on advise of my consultant as I have existing high blood pressure. I've had no problems so far and baby is growing fine (previous iugr too). I think I have to take it until 36 weeks not sure why then will ask at my next appointment in a couple of weeks.

[LazyMachine]

I took 75mg from 6 weeks pregnant for clotting issues leading to recurrent miscarriage. I took the aspirin through week 32 and my healthy little LazyBoy was born 8 days ago. I don't know that he would be with us if I hadn't taken the aspirin.

The aspirin can't harm you or the baby, so if if can help (& was prescribed by your consult) then I would suggest that you take it!

[Midori1999]

I took 75mg whilst TTC my last pregnancy and until 37 weeks (DD is now 20 months) and whilst TTC this time (just 5 weeks 4 days) I dont have diabetes, but I do have a blood disorder and without the aspirin I don't think it would be possible for me to have a successful pregnancy.

There is apparently (according to the numerous consultants I have seen) no evidence whatsoever that low dose aspirin causes any harm in pregnancy and only has benefits.

[TattyCatty]

Like Midori, I took low dose Aspirin throughout the time I was TTC (2 years in total) and then through my pregnancy up until around 36 weeks. I have Factor V Leiden, a clotting condition which has been linked to difficulties in conceiving (although not a factor for me - the PCOS that I have took care of my infertility all by itself!), miscarriage and also carries a risk of thrombosis, which is more common in pregnancy, so it was a no brainer for me.

Twinklestar - they ask you to stop taking it at 36 weeks as there is a slightly increased risk of hemorrhage during labour / post partum if you are still taking a blood thinning drug. I was then put onto Clexane for a couple of days after DD was born as I was fairly immobile after a full spinal / traumatic forceps delivery.

[Bunbaker]

Sensible advice from everyone else on here.

Why are you uncertain about taking something that a qualified medical professional has told you to? You wouldn't stop taking your insulin would you?

[pashapasta]

Agree with Bunbaker. A highly qualified doctor, based on his clear understanding of your medical history has advised you to take this drug. Why would random people on the internet be qualified to provide better advice?

[pashapasta]

Agree with Bunbaker. A highly qualified doctor, based on his clear understanding of your medical history has advised you to take this drug. Why would random people on the internet be qualified to provide better advice?

[FluffyDavis]

I have taken 75mg of aspirin daily through all of my pregnancys up until about 36 weeks. I have a mild blood disorder. 3 healthy ds's aged 9,7 and 3 and currently 8 weeks pregnant.

[sydlexic]

When you see a consultant you should ask what are the benefits and risks of this medication. Don't leave until you have the answers, it will stop you worrying afterwards.

Hope everything goes well for you.

[EuroShagmore]

My IVF clinic prescribes 75mg aspirin from egg collection (equivalent to ovulation) onwards. It is to aid implantation and to try to protect against miscarriage.

Do question your consultant if you are unsure, but I consider myself very anti drugs (I did "natural IVF" and don't even like taking a paracetamol for a headache) and I am happy taking a low dose of this drug that has a long, safe history.

[Gingerbreadpixie]

Wow, thank you all so much for the replies! It's reassuring. :)

To answer a couple of questions, ive been questioning the advice from my doctor because I suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ("contamination" from germs and chemicals being the main focus if it). So although my fears probably sound silly and irrational, it is a disorder that causes very irrational and unwelcome thoughts. Makes it hard to make a sound judgement.

It's very embarrassing and can be be distressing to try to talk to people about it in real life because of the shame associated with the condition. So it's nice to be able to just ask for some opinions anonymously and I'm very grateful for the replies.

Thanks all x

[giddypants]

I'm currently taking aspirin 75mg and I'm 34 weeks.
For me it was a no brainier, I had undiagnosed pre-eclampsia when I had DS resulting in a placental abruption him being starved of oxygen and perminantly brain damaged.
Through out this pregnancy I've had 4 weekly growth scans, and closely monitored.
Ds2 is growing and developing well, I can't help but think if I had taken aspirin with ds1 he would be ok now.

[greengoose]

Hi, I'm on low dose asprin after loosing my baby six days after she was born at 32 weeks partly due to preeclamsia. I'm currently 12 weeks pregnant.
There have been no risks associated with this dosage, and preeclampsia is not something to take lightly. Please take the pill, I understand the worry, but it's a good thing for you and your baby, and your doctor is giving you good advice based on solid research.

[TheDisorganiser]

I was put onto 100mg daily while TTC DS2 because I have Factor V Leiden and had had a MC. It didn't make any difference to the next 2 pgs, which I lost early; but then my consultant gave me a clexane prescription to fill as soon as I got a positive test result, which I did, and then stayed on clexane until I was induced (so pretty much 37 weeks of daily injections).

If you are really worried about the aspirin, then you could try asking if you could have clexane instead - I don't know if there are any contraindications between injecting clexane and injecting insulin, you'd need to ask - it would perform the same function, effectively, reducing the risk of clots in the placenta or in you.

But I think you have to bear in mind that they have good reasons for asking you to take the aspirin and that it could make a difference to how well your baby progresses.

[Gingerbreadpixie]

I'm very sorry to hear of the losses and health issues some of you ladies on this thread have been through.

With all the opinions here, the opinion of my highly-qualified doctor and opinion of DH, I am going to tell the OCD voice in my head to be quiet and trust doctor's advice.

X

[greengoose]

That's good news Ginger!

[Coleminer]

This is useful...
www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2190294/Aspirin-Experts-reveal-taking-aspirin-day.html

[50shadesofmeh]

Hi I'm on it as my previous two pregnancies ended up in tiny babies and it seems to be working as this seems to be my biggest yet, tgere was concern about the blood flow through placenta so that's why the consultant suggested it.

[AlmondFrangipani]

Hi Ginger,

I was prescribed 75mg daily asprin at 12 weeks by my consultant too. This is due to a the fact I have chronic kidney disease and a higher risk of pre-eclampsia. She told me that the asprin doesnt prevent it from happening but has been proven to reduce the risk of it developing. In addition to this I am on 100mg labetol a day (to keep my blood pressure low) and a kidney antibiotic to stop me getting infections. Whilst it seems like a lot of medication all of these things are there to help me get through the pregancy and deliver a healthy baby. I didnt think twice about agreeing to their advice as I just want to do everything I can for the this little one. Even with all these drugs I have not noticed any side effects or issues (yet...fx).

Hope you get on ok x

[Bluestar11]

Hi, i found your thread as i am a type 1 diabetic and have had 2 MC and was wondering about taking aspirin. What did you do in the end? I am so low at the moment and after last MC cannot believe have to go back to trying! Has been over a year and my doctors are rubbish! Thanks

[frankiebuns]

Hiya I'm on a low dose aspirin since 12 weeks I have factor v lieden so no question, I was told it doesn't cross over to baby so its fine

[Canshopwillshop]

I had to take 150mg of aspirin from 6 to 36 weeks of pregnancy due to having blood clotting issues which had previously caused several miscarriages. Without the aspirin (and also heparin injections), I would not have my two DC.