Aspirin from 12 weeks - really unsure about it

[babywhen]

I am currently 12.5 weeks pregnant and because I am overweight (bmi 35) and have high blood pressure and my mum had pre eclampsia, the midwife has told me to take aspirin from 12 weeks.

I am a bit nervous because I read that it can be bad and I feel very anxious about taking it!

Should I be worried about taking it?

I have high BP and for each pregnancy I have been advised to take 75mg aspirin from getting my BFP to reduce risk of preE

My first son I got to 40 weeks no BP issues, my second son I got to 38 weeks, again no preE or BP and now I'm on my third pregnancy and taking it again.

If the dr is prescribing it for you it's for a reason, ask them all the questions you are worried about and they will answer/reassure but it's definitely common for BP issues

What is it in particular that is worrying you and where did it come from?

I've taken the view throughout pregnancy that if I've been advised to do something by a professional that is aware of my situation and is involved in my care then I will go with that. I think there's as much dubious pregnancy advice on the internet as there are pictures of cats and minion memes.

If you think the source is credible then it's probably best to discuss what you've read with a midwife or a pharmacist.

Taking aspirin in pregnancy is incredibly common - they prescribe it for a really wide range of things. I've taken it from 4 weeks, and will stop at 36 (next week!). I agree that you should ask your midwife if you're worried, but they really wouldn't have suggested you take it if there was any concern that it would cause problems - they're incredibly cautious about prescribing in pregnancy, for obvious reasons.

Incidentally, I have a history of low blood pressure but because I had a bmi of 30.9 at booking in I was still advised to take it from 12 weeks and have done without any issues (40 weeks now).

I took it as I had a high BMI - no problems with HBP or pre-eclampsia through my pregnancy.

No they wouldn't give you it if there was anything to worry about. I have been taking it since 12 weeks too x

Medical study (there are several if you look up ’pubmed aspirin in pregnancy’
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/8534620/

I was advised to take aspirin from 12 weeks as my first baby was deemed to be a low birth weight baby (she was 6lb12oz!) . I took it as the medical professionals know what they are talking about

I had aspirin in second pregnancy as I had high blood pressure with my first. Baby was fine but I haven't taken it this time round as it made me feel dizzy and everything has been good. If you feel you should take it just to be sure then it won't harm the baby at all.

I've been advised to take it due to age. This surprised my GP as I don't have any other risk factors.

It is actually so common for pregnant women to take it for a wide range of issues that if you talk to relations and friends' who have been pregnant in the last 7 or so years, many will forget to tell you they took it as well. If you do ask specifically and they remember their reason is likely to be completely different from yours.

This is because prophylaxic low dose aspirin has found to be more beneficial than a risk for pregnant women.

Btw you do have a right to be sceptical about taking medications but if you are, then do your own research from verified sources eg pub med not from whacky websites or newspapers

Thank you, I feel a lot better about taking it now. Yes my midwife and GP have told me to take it, I was just a bit nervous.