Daily dose aspirin for older mothers?

[fretnot]

I’ve been asked by my consultant to take a daily dose of aspirin, 75mg, to protect against pre-eclampsia. As far as I know, my only risk factor is that I am 40 years old (I have had two previous pregnancies go to term).

I’m a bit wary of taking it, especially as the consultant seemed a bit scatty and seemed to have my history all wrong on first asking!

Has anyone else been prescribed it purely for the increased risk of being older?

Hummm. In my notes it says it is given for 2 or more moderate risk factors or 1 or more high risk factor. I am taking it for my first pregnancy and a family history of pregnancy induced hypertension.

Do you have the list of risk factors in your notes that you can look at?

Thanks @fibeee, that’s what I’ve seen online from other hospital factsheets and it made me wonder. My doc didn’t give me any leaflet or info source.

I’ve no written notes (all online at UCLH), so I might try calling the hospital and try to talk to someone.

Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy, @fibeee!

I’m taking it and for exactly the same reason, I’m 42, almost 43, I’ve been prescribed 150mg. My other risk factor is that my other children are 16 and 12. Therefore as more than 10 years have passed it’s classed as a first pregnancy. Apparently different trust prescribe different doses and mine is one of the first to take on the new recommendations. I have since been told I have low Papp A, however, treatment would of been the same so no change for me. I am now 23 weeks and so far everything is going well.

Congratulations and welcome aboard the 40 plus journey

I took it, it is standard in my trust and the research is sound

This is the leaflet I was given
yourhealth.leicestershospitals.nhs.uk/library/women-s-children-s/obstetrics/288-aspirin-in-pregnancy/file

Thanks @cezza1923 for the welcome - it’s amazing how differently this pregnancy is being treated compared to one I had last year (which unfortunately I had to terminate).

Thanks also for the info sheet @Megan2018. I called UCLH and a midwife confirmed it’s the policy of the trust for >40 years to be sufficient criteria alone to take the low aspirin dose.

@fretnot yes I was over 40, first baby

Had a fabulously easy pregnancy and birth though, only issue was gestational diabetes managed through diet and I had a relatively small baby unaffected by it.
Good luck

I am 38 and have been prescribed 150mg Aspirin per day. It is to do with my age apparently, and because I had fertility treatment to conceive.

I have read conflicting information but am trusting my consultant. He said I am at increased risk of pre eclampsia/blood clots.

P.S it is my first baby!

@fretnot

I really wouldn’t worry about taking this. I took it for first pregnancy at 40 - in Australia so advice is the same there - and again now for my second at 42. No issues at all. I would trust your consultant on this one. Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy 🙂

I'm also on 150mg per day since 12 weeks. I'm 33, had fertility treatment, and had a previous miscarriage.

42 and taking 75mg daily, I did in my 2018 pregnancy too. I do have a history of m/c but I really wouldn't worry about it, age is a risk factor for clots etc and it's a very small dose.

Yes I'm 40 and have been prescribed 75mg a day too. Just a precaution. It's a really low dose anyway so nothing to worry about I don't think. X

I am on 75md/ day and I'm 36. But I also used to have high blood pressure and was on medication for it prior to pregnancy. By some miracle, my BP has been absolutely fine without meds ever since I got pregnant. But they put me on the aspirin just to be safe.

I took it as I'd had 5 previous mcs. It worked

I'm on 75mg due to previous miscarriages, but have been given different info on when to stop - one professional said 36 weeks if I recall correctly, where the other said keep taking until delivery?
So that's something I would check if I were you - I'm still confused!

Thanks everyone, it’s reassuring to hear these accounts, especially those where there are no other indications than age. I guess I’m overthinking it. A better bedside manner & level of information from the consultant would have helped a lot!

@daydreamdaisy I’ve seen different guidelines online but my consultant also said until 36 weeks. That made sense to me as surely you need all your blood-clotting power for delivery?!

34 weeks here just in case of 38 week induction and yes, absolutely, it's best to stop to avoid excessive bleeding! Some consultants could really do with a bit of bedside manner training g, I know!