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Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Midwife put me on aspirin due to previous "low birth weight"

33 replies

Ilikepistachio · 13/12/2022 23:53

Hi guys, this is my very first post here so please bare with me!

I am currently 10 weeks pregnant and saw the midwife for my booking appointment recently. When she was getting all the details of me, she asked me what the birth weight was of my 1st child...I said 6 pounds 11 ounces, born at 42 weeks. She said that's a low birth weight and has recommend I take 2 x 75mg aspirin to increase the weight of baby no.2. There may have been some restriction in the flow between the placenta and my blood. I told her that all my scans were normal and my bump was growing as it should so I'm quite shocked that there could have been some restriction in growth in utero. I wasn't really thinking during the appointment to ask her a bunch of questions but I'm now thinking is 6 pounds 11 ounces really that low of a birth weight for her to jump to giving me aspirin? I've had otherwise a healthy pregnancy, my blood pressure has always been good, no concerns there.

I'm just not quite sure how she could prescribe me that without any evidence. Surely a scan would tell a better story. I'm not a fan of just taking medicine for the sake of it and I'm nervous the aspirin will reduce my blood pressure so much I'll have dizzy spells which is inconvenient as I am the primary driver at home, I don't want to get dizzy randomly due to my blood pressure being lowered by the aspirin.

Has anyone been put on this specifically because a previous baby was smaller than expected? Especially without any evidence there were problems with the placenta. Did you have any side effects?

Thanks so much x

OP posts:
worstusernameeverx2 · 14/12/2022 00:22

I think you're over reacting here. It's quite common practise and at 42 weeks that weight is quite low. Had your baby been born at 40 weeks at the same weight she might have had a different opinion. I was prescribed this because my first was born at 37 weeks- 5lbs. It's normal to be anxious about very little thing when you're pregnant but I wouldn't stress about this. Take it as advised and if you experience any ill effects then go back and speak to her again.

worstusernameeverx2 · 14/12/2022 00:22

*every little thing

ratmatazz · 14/12/2022 00:23

Exactly the same thing happened to me. I didn't see it as a problem. The aspirin had so noticeable effect on me, it's s very low dose. Chill !

LemonSwan · 14/12/2022 00:24

I was prescribed it. Didn’t find out until they told me to stop taking it for the c section. So apologies I don’t even know why they prescribed it. First pregnancy, no issues, midwife led. It’s a mystery.

NoDramaMama12 · 14/12/2022 00:27

Oh really?

My eldest was born at 6 lb 3 at 41+3 weeks and never prescribed aspirin for my second.

My second was born 6 lb 6 ounces at 41+1.

Summer2424 · 14/12/2022 00:46

Hi, the doctor put me on low dose Asprin (75mg) to prevent preeclampsia. I had my first bubba at 41 yrs old. I was quite hesitant to take it but my friend reassured me that it's totally fine as she had just had a baby and had taken low dose Asprin and that it thins the blood so it's actually good for bubba as she / he is getting good blood flow.
Hope the above helps x

3rdtimerodeo · 14/12/2022 05:08

Hi, I'm 38 weeks with my 3rd, previous babies were 6lb 5 and 6lb 10 at 39 weeks. Mw prescribed low dose of Aspirin to assist placenta blood flow just incase there was an issue. I hadn't been told previously that my babies were SGA but according to my personal growth chart, ethnicity and height, they were small. This one is measuring completely the opposite now (had serial growth scans and its LGA with a head off the chart) and is predicted to weigh about 9lbs+ if I get to 40w!

Please don't worry yourself, it's a very small dosage and you can take it at night if you're worried about getting dizzy/driving.

OrcaBlondie · 14/12/2022 09:15

75mg is a very small dose so very unlikely to lower your blood pressure so much so that you feel dizzy. I’ve been on it throughout my pregnancy and my blood pressure has always been fine. I’d say more pros to taking it than cons so I would follow her advice.

MrNook · 14/12/2022 11:33

I was prescribed it for no reason in my first pregnancy from 12 weeks and have been prescribed it again this time because of my high BMI

Same dose x2 75mg tablets

SleepWouldBeADream · 14/12/2022 11:38

My first was born at 41 weeks 6lb 8oz, with my second I was prescribed low dose aspirin which I took daily with no side effects and my second was born 41 weeks 6lb 8oz 🤦🏼‍♀️

K37529 · 14/12/2022 13:57

My last baby had a low birth weight and I've been told I will have to take aspirin from 12 weeks, I would take it if that is what your midwife is advising, I've read up on it and low aspirin is safe to take in pregnancy and can help prevent a low birth weight, low birth weight can cause your baby to have health problems

Ilikepistachio · 14/12/2022 16:02

This reply has been withdrawn

Withdrawn at poster's request

Original poster
Ilikepistachio · 14/12/2022 16:04

worstusernameeverx2 · 14/12/2022 00:22

I think you're over reacting here. It's quite common practise and at 42 weeks that weight is quite low. Had your baby been born at 40 weeks at the same weight she might have had a different opinion. I was prescribed this because my first was born at 37 weeks- 5lbs. It's normal to be anxious about very little thing when you're pregnant but I wouldn't stress about this. Take it as advised and if you experience any ill effects then go back and speak to her again.

Thanks for responding to my post, I appreciate it. Did the aspirin help you give birth to a bigger baby?

OP posts:
shard5 · 14/12/2022 16:06

Yup I had this too, Ds was born at term weighing 5lb 3 so next pregnancy I was prescribed aspirins only it gave me terrible stomach cramps and so I couldn't take it. The consultant wasn't fussed really when I stopped after a few days. 5 pregnancies and only one baby weighing a good weight of 7 lb 1 and they never could pinpoint why the first 4 were all tiny.

Cuppasoupmonster · 14/12/2022 16:06

6lb11 is small for a 42 weeker. That’s the sort of weight I would expect at 37/38 weeks - DD was 6lb5, born at 37+0 and was very average (55th centile). So your baby must’ve been something like 5th at a guess? Aspirin thins the blood and enables it to flow more effectively through the placenta. It’s completely harmless so just take it. I’m taking it in this pregnancy as a precaution for other risk factors, I’m not at all worried about it.

Original poster
Ilikepistachio · 14/12/2022 16:06

SleepWouldBeADream · 14/12/2022 11:38

My first was born at 41 weeks 6lb 8oz, with my second I was prescribed low dose aspirin which I took daily with no side effects and my second was born 41 weeks 6lb 8oz 🤦🏼‍♀️

Oh that's odd, you'd think it would help increase the birth weight. Maybe the low birth weights in your babies have nothing to do with the placental blood flow. Maybe it's just how you carry your babies!

OP posts:
Moancup · 14/12/2022 16:09

Ilikepistachio · 14/12/2022 16:06

Oh that's odd, you'd think it would help increase the birth weight. Maybe the low birth weights in your babies have nothing to do with the placental blood flow. Maybe it's just how you carry your babies!

Show quote history

Aspirin isn’t a miracle fix. There’s some evidence it can help avoid growth problems but it’s not as simple as aspirin = perfect blood flow. I was put on it due to low PAPP-A and unfortunately DS still developed IUGR.

But the downsides are negligible so I would definitely take it again.

Original poster
Ilikepistachio · 14/12/2022 16:12

Summer2424 · 14/12/2022 00:46

Hi, the doctor put me on low dose Asprin (75mg) to prevent preeclampsia. I had my first bubba at 41 yrs old. I was quite hesitant to take it but my friend reassured me that it's totally fine as she had just had a baby and had taken low dose Asprin and that it thins the blood so it's actually good for bubba as she / he is getting good blood flow.
Hope the above helps x

Yes it does thanks, glad to hear that you and your friend had a good experience with the aspirin

OP posts:
tiredpuppymum · 14/12/2022 16:16

Yes it's standard. Evidence indicates it can help your baby. Why do you have a problem with it?

DappledThings · 14/12/2022 19:55

DC1 was 6lb 10 at 41+5 and I was also recommended to take that dose of aspirin. Didn't have any side effects and I saw no reason not to follow recommendation. DC2 was 6lb 5 at 39+5. I just have small babies.

Autumn231 · 14/12/2022 21:33

I think it’s to do with percentiles than specific weight. My midwife said I might have to have to have aspirin as DS was on 9th percentile, however when they calculated it (at 12 week scan) they worked out he was higher than that for people of my demographic so was fine. I imagine because you were 42 weeks he was classed as being under the 10th percentile. They should be able to double check this for you at your 12 week scan.

Cuppasoupmonster · 14/12/2022 21:37

I don’t think it’s aspirin = bigger baby, more ‘your baby was small and while that might be fine, we can’t rule out placenta issue so this harmless aspirin will help with that next time if that was the case’

Happycroc · 14/12/2022 21:38

DC1 born at 42 weeks and 7lb 6oz. I’ve been prescribed and I’m taking 2 x 75mg of aspirin daily with no side effects.

just a side note when you do start taking it it’s best to take it in the evening as studies show it’s absorbed better.

PicturesOfDogs · 14/12/2022 21:43

My first was IUGR, and was put on aspirin for second.

She was a lot plumper, 6lb 6 but induced at 39 weeks. Assuming if I had got to 40/41 weeks she would have been a good 7 pounder

TheCraicDealer · 14/12/2022 21:49

I was prescribed it for no. 2 as I developed high blood pressure in labour with DD. Midwife was on the fence about it because my BP was normal throughout pregnancy (and I am 100% sure the spike was due to stress and the agonising pain of a back to back induced labour on a drip) but ultimately went with the recommendation as the risks are so negligible.

I have since been diagnosed with antiphospholipid syndrome which requires a daily injection of blood thinners for the rest of the pregnancy, so I’m looking back fondly on the aspirin-only days!