Placenta blood flow - prescribed aspirin

[017HF]

I had my 12 week scan last Tuesday and had bloods done too for Down's Syndrome screening .

The midwife called me yesterday confirming that for DS I was low risk but she was sending out a letter along with my results that I should take to my GP in order for them to prescribe aspirin for me as part of the screening they do now looks at the blood flow to the placenta and mine isn't quite in the range they expect and consequently I'd also be referred to see a consultant at 28 weeks as well as having a growth scan at that point too.

I just wondered if anyone was in the same boat? I'm not overly worried as I spoke to my aunt who was a midwife previously but now carries out scans (but still works on an NHS maternity ward) but she has been off work since March as she's shielding and she thinks it's a new guideline as she hadn't heard of this before but agreed it wasn't anything to get overly worried about as she was aware that some Health Boards were researching something similar over the last few years.

Sorry if this has been asked already and I'm covering old ground - and for the long windedness of this post too!

Any comments and/or reassurance welcome

I’m not sure where you are, I think it’s something that’s being done in some areas and not in others. It sounds like you’ve had screening for pre-eclampsia risk possibly - you could look up “first trimester screening for pre eclampsia” on either fetal medicine foundation, or look at something called the ASPRE trial. Not sure if you would have had the full screening or just part of it as the full one is made up of scan, blood test, blood pressure. But Basically there’s evidence to show you can reduce risks of pre eclampsia andgrowth restriction by using aspirin from 12 weeks onward, especially if you are ina higher risk group. The scan you’ve had has put you in that higher risk category that is more likely to get benefit from the aspirin. It’s not to say that there actually will be any problem but aspirin is great for reducing risks, usually no side effects, and you’ll get some extra scans and input as well which is a bonus :)

Not exactly in the same boat. I've been prescribed asprin from 7 weeks onward due to my type 1 diabetes to help prevent pre eclampsia or if I do get it at least delay it. It's low dose and not harmful. If it helps to keep the baby inside for longer then it's a good thing. I'm also having extra scans and will be induced earlier.

I'm trusting that they know what is best for us. More than that I cannot do. I always knew that I would have a high risk pregnancy and birth so these things are less of a shock than if you have always been in a position to expect a normal pregnancy. You do get used to the idea, it's about the end result and if you get that, then this time of worry will just be a short phase in your history. I'm consciously enjoying being pregnant every day so it doesn't go past with only worry.

I hope all goes well for you.

@TenThousandSpoons0 thank you very much for an extremely helpful and reassuring post. I’m in Scotland, in the Greater Glasgow & Clyde health-board and from what you’ve said that seems very likely. I’m going to have a look at the websites that you suggested and see if I can find out some more information... I ended up reading a 30 odd page medical journal about placental blood flow in cows & sheep so hopefully something closer to my own species would be even better! I’m a bit of a stickler for information, especially when it’s something I haven’t heard of or experienced before so thank you!

@nasiisthebest Hey, thank you for your response! That makes complete sense and absolutely if there’s a suggestion that taking it will be better for the baby then I’m totally fine with that. I know what you mean about the worrying, I don’t think I’m typically a worrier, or at least not overly so, but definitely keen to find out more information, particularly incase there are other things that I can do to make the situation better then I’m more than willing to. I did read that mild exercise helps and I have been guilty of being a little lazy lately - not least because I can’t go more than 15 minutes without needing a pee so I never want to venture too far from a toilet incase I need to go urgently! I’m sure everything will be absolutely fine for both of us and the babies will be here before we know it!