Asprin in pregnancy

[sophieemily]

Hi everyone.

Im 13 weeks pregnant and my midwife has suggested I start taking aspirin to prevent high blood pressure as its my first and my mum had high blood pressure.<br /> <br /> I haven't started taking it yet though as for others the advice is not to take aspirin. Im so confused on what do do as I don't like the thought of taking tablets whilst pregnant.

Anyone else had the same advice? What did you do?

Thanks

[kittyvet]

I should have been advised to take aspirin because a family history of pre eclampsia and my midwife missed it!!! Take a look in your notes- in mine there are 2 charts ( for for preeclampsia and one for clot risk) which explain the risk factors from which they will have made this recommendation. Also google NICE guidelines and PRECOG guidelines for aspirin in pregnancy to explain rationale/ learn more about it.

[Mistyautumn]

I was put on aspirin at 14 weeks due to obesity and being at increased risk of DVT. I am guessing they have given you 75mg?

It is such a small dosage that it is very unlikely to do anything negative. Over the counter aspirin that many of the articles and threads talk about are 300mg + so not what you would have been prescribed.

Just stopped taking it at 36 weeks and as far as I know (touch wood) baby is perfectly happy and healthy. In fact she is an absolute whopper. Xx

[sophieemily]

Yeah, it's 75 mg that I have been prescribed. Glad everything is ok with you. I read about excess bleeding in delivery due to aspirin intake somewhere so Im guessing you stop before your due date then? <br /> <br /> I had a look in my notes and I try just mentions about family history and first baby. Not charts or anything 're blood pressure I don't think.<br /> <br /> Im just so worried about it, don't know if just should risk not taking it.

[Mistyautumn]

Hi, yes I have just stopped taking it at 36 weeks as the effect lasts for approx a month. Hopefully it will mean no complications further down the line.

Good luck with your pregnancy whatever you decide to do. And congratulations xx

[sophieemily]

Thanks Misty and you

[pommedeterre]

I take it from day 1 in every pregnancy and take it right through until 3-4 days pre 38 week induction.

I have a clotting disorder. Have not so far (2 in) had an issue with bleeding at delivery.

[bonzo77]

I took it for different reasons. Was meant to take it till 36 weeks, then stop as was having a CS. Ended up with DS coming early at 35 weeks, by CS. No excessive blood loss.

[Errrr2012]

I've been in it from the moment I found out I was pregnant because of previous pre eclampsia. I think I can stop at 36 weeks. I know of lots people taking it for various reasons so it must be pretty safe in low doses.

[squizita]

It is quite common and safe to take if in a low dose and directed by a medical professional.
It's headache doses taken willy nilly that are advised against, as in a woman with no need they could lower blood pressure and coagulation too much.

Pills in pregnancy have a bit of a taboo, but many women take prescribed medication without which they might risk miscarriage, high blood pressure or excessive vomiting. You'd be surprised how many do.
Provided it is prescribed/advised by a proper professional, all is good.

:)

I spent 34 weeks on daily aspirin and an injection a day of heparin: was 100% fine. 37 weeks now, baby big and moving well.
I'd you need it, you need it. :)

[squizita]

Also excessive bleeding can happen aspirin or not! A lot of scare stories are women who have self medicated on the wrong dose, or sadly had a bad birth and rationalise it by blaming aspirin.
Trust me clotting risk and/or high blood pressure are more common and more dangerous if you are likely to have them. I would take the aspirin and ignore the Internet, always full of scare stories.

[firstposts]

I had an IVF pregnancy. All women at our clinic took .75 mg daily until week 36.

According to my consultant the time will come when all women will be advised to do this as there is good evidence it prevents certain type of miscarriage.

[squizita]

First it is the main treatment for sticky blood which causes miscarriage. Has been for years. However it can be risky if you tend towards LOW blood pressure or bleed easily.
Sad I know but I know too much about coagulation, BP and pregnancy!

[WhyOWhyWouldYou]

Definately read the NICE guidelines and make sure you meet their criteria.

I was put on it, it made me ill (caused stomach cramps, nausea and physically being sick, headaches and excessive acid/severe heart burn - resulting in me having to take omeprazole (i cant take ranitidine)). Then when i checked NICE guidelines, i only met one low risk factor so NICE advise against it, i raised this with consultant who couldnt understand why i had been put on it. Feel so much better since it was stopped. Plus i was annoyed they didnt even warn me about the risks it can have to baby (these were mentioned in NICE guidelines).

[TheOnlySeven]

I've been on it for three pregnancies due to PE and never been told I need to stop prior to delivery, I've had no excessive blood loss and was told by GP that a low dose doesn't actually have much of an effect at thinning the blood.

[SoonToBeSix]

The hypertension clinic put me on aspirin as I had pre eclampsia in a previous pregnancy

[pommedeterre]

The aspirin is for the baby as the heparin injections don't cross the placenta as far as I've always understood?

My haemotologist and obstetrician argue about it via me constantly!

[squizita]

It depends what it is taken for. In sticky blood cases it helps bind the blood cells in the placenta, improving function (and they don't know why but this is over twice as effective used in tandem with heparin which doesn't go into the placenta). With a thrombosis risk, it just seems to work to minimise thrombosis risk.
Same drug, 2 conditions for use.

[pommedeterre]

theonlyseven - I stop as then I get a slim chance of being allowed an epidural if I need one (12 hours post a heparin rather than 24)

squizita - v interesting. My haem thinks it just increases the risk of internal bleeding to the mother for little or no additional benefit when taken with 2x heparin.

[squizita]

Pomme it slashes the risk in women with APS from 70% miscarriage risk with aspirin alone to 30% risk with both. No studies have shown raised chance of PPH, the risks are smaller babies and slight prematurity. Neither drug works as well alone.
I'm with one of Britain's leading haems who also specialises in gynie bloods. A lot of women are referred to him when their original consultant can't help them anymore.

[pommedeterre]

Very interesting! I remember you from another thread and the hospital you're at.

To be fair either way the combo has got me through two pgs and I am very near the end of a third so it works for me ( or, despite the stats I'd be ok with pg and birth anyway? You never know when diagnosed with APS pre ttc!)

[squizita]

Yeah that's the thing pomme - many women the main/only symptom IS a massively high miscarriage risk. Others have other symptoms but it seems can carry better. Now when they work out why that is, that will be the day!!

[pommedeterre]

They will get there. Ten years or so ago all of us would have been doomed to our 'fate' from APS and ttc. I feel very lucky to be having my babies at this point of medicine and science!

[squizita]

Yes! And it's such a marvel that the cures are so easy/simple... not big operations or cocktails of drugs. Just an injection and/or a pill. :)

[cheshirem2b]

I take 75mg asprin due to high BMI as advised by my midwife. She is going to monitor me and will probably take me off at 36weeks. Taking it as advised for whatever reason in a low dose is fine.