Advice needed regarding aspirin

[K2012]

Hi ladies

I’m 13+6 (IVF pregnancy)

Been having some dark brown spotting 2-3 days a week since week 8, been for scans baby is fine but they can’t find reason for the spotting.
Saw my midwife at week 7 who said I shouldn’t take aspirin as I don’t have any clotting issues. Saw a gynecologist today who said because I’m over 35 and IVF pregnancy I should take aspirin and he doesn’t understand why midwife didn’t start it earlier.

For those who took aspirin how much did you take and did you get any side effects, bleeding etc. Please share your input. Thank you in advance.

The advice is conflicting but a consultant should do a risk assessment on you first - I took it from 20 weeks in first pregnancy due to scoring high in certain medical factors.
My second pregnancy with twins (ivf) medical issues no longer around so didn't need to take it

They don't usually start it until around 20 weeks and then it's was basically the baby aspirin you get in Boots for 75p a pack - low dose anyway

Aspirin isn't going to help with the spotting - it's more likely to make it worse - unless your gynaecologist is an obstetrician or a consultant you see as part of your pregnancy I wouldn't take it

Hi @tiggerwhocamefortea

Thank you very much for your reply. I’m still in two minds whether to start it or not as I’m worried it’s going to make the spotting worse. I forgot to mention it was a registrar I saw yesterday who said to take 150mg aspirin once a day. I’m seeing a consultant in 12 days so maybe I should wait for his advice?
I don’t have any other medical issues apart from being over 35 and IVF pregnancy but he said that’s 2 risk factors.

The registrar said with IVF pregnancy and older than 35 you should start aspirin at week 12.

Always go with the doctors advice rather than midwives, there is a reason they are a doctor and take seniority over other healthcare professionals opinions.

That said it’s unclear if the gynaecologist is seeing you as part of your pregnancy, I would get the opinion of your specialist obstetrician monitoring your specific pregnancy before doing anything. A registrar (while an eminently capable and very senior doctor!) has not completed their medical training and as this is a complicated and older ivf pregnancy (while the Reg is likely correct) I would be getting the opinion of the consultant first as there is conflicting information being given here.

Can you call his secretary and ask if he can do a quick review of your notes and see what they suggest m rather than waiting?

Hi @BlueSilver23 Thank you for your reply. He didn’t see me yesterday as part of my pregnancy, I’ve been having spotting for 6 weeks now and called the gynae outpatient yesterday and asked for advice and they said to come in and speak to a doctor. I have an appointment with a consultant in 12 days (as part of my pregnancy, referred by my midwife).

I have tried to call the department and ask for an earlier appointment but they said because of covid they have a backlog so can’t offer me any earlier appointment. I will try to see if I can speak to his secretary today.

I did accidentally take the first dose of aspirin last night only 75mg though (even though doctor said 150mg) I won’t take anymore untill I have spoken to consultant.

@K2012 make sure you explain to them you don’t necessarily need an appointment, you just need confirmation of the medication you are supposed to take from the consultant as you are confused and didn’t understand the advice you were given by the midwife (act dopey!). They should be able to tell you that even without a appointment (don’t let the receptionist/secretary fob you off!) best of luck!

@BlueSilver23 Just called the receptionist who said his secretary is not in untill Monday. I told her briefly what it was about and she said a registrar always gets confirmation by a consultant before they prescribe medication so he should have done that yesterday 🤷🏻‍♀️

I did try to change my appointment to next week but she said they’re fully booked.

Don’t think I can do more than wait for the appointment
Thanks for your advice btw

I forgot to mention in my first post, my risk factors are age, IVF and I have something similar to PCOS but since I’ve always had regular periods and normal blood tests IVF clinic said it’s not PCOS I just have many follicles. I mentioned this to the doctor yesterday.

I’ve taken 75mg aspirin with all pregnancies from either ovulation or bfp, at the direction of clinics. I’ve never had spotting though.

I was advised to take it but didn’t want to risk anything to the pregnancy so resided and everything was fine, I also refused the flu jab extra and all was fine
Good luck x

Refused*

That sounds tricky, I hate it when I receive 2 different set of advice. Can you possibly get a 3rd? Maybe another doctor or a midwife?

I am down my IVF route too, and too be honest I would call the clinic... The nurse over there, or someone? They helped made the baby surely they should know what to do now. Or at least this is my thought process as a newbie, at least in my mind it makes sense. What did you end up doing?

Hi everyone

I spoke to the consultant today who prescribed 150mg aspirin daily. He said it’s mainly to prevent pre eclampsia and shouldn’t make the spotting worse.