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Pregnancy

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

Original poster

Prescribed aspirin from 12-40w with no explanation. Any experience please?

36 replies

flowerexpress · 05/01/2023 09:14

I have just seen on my Badger notes app that, apparently, following first scan/consultant appt I've been prescribed aspirin from 12/40 to be prescribed by antenatal clinic. The notes specifically say this plan was discussed with me which is definitely not the case. My dp was in appt with me and no aspirin was mentioned, no prescription etc.

The consultant did mention my blood pressure reading was a bit high and wanted midwife to check it again in two weeks but that it could just be stress from the appt (called it white coat syndrome). I explained I'd been very stressed when I arrived because I have a very painful bladder condition and trying to maintain a very full bladder for the scan was intensely painful.

Online info says some women are prescribed aspirin if considered at risk of pre eclampsia due to high blood pressure (no mention of that in appt). Would a doctor really prescribe long term aspirin based off that one reading? There being no prescription makes it more confusing. I know there are risks with aspirin and don't want to take it unnecessarily. Waiting to hear back from midwife. Appt was just after Christmas.

Does anyone have any experience of being prescribed aspirin throughout pregnancy/advice?

Thanks so much x

OP posts:
Helenloveslee4eva · 05/01/2023 09:20

Why not ring your midwife who can give you answers than asking vague questions of a bunch of internet strangers ?

in summary often used and safe. We can’t make any specific comments for you

snowflake29 · 05/01/2023 09:22

Aspirin is extremely safe in pregnancy and it's usually a very low dose (called baby aspirin), not the dose an adult would take for a headache or whatever.

Is this your first pregnancy? Have you had any miscarriages in the past? It's usually prescribed if you have had miscarriages, or higher BP, or anything like that in a previous pregnancy.

ItsNotReallyChaos · 05/01/2023 09:23

It’ll be a low dose, much lower than the dose you’d take for a headache for example so I don’t think you need to worry about taking it.

I was on aspirin throughout pregnancy as I’d had previous miscarriages due to having slightly sticky blood so I was on it as a blood thinner (as well as blood thinning injections)

Original poster
flowerexpress · 05/01/2023 09:51

Helenloveslee4eva · 05/01/2023 09:20

Why not ring your midwife who can give you answers than asking vague questions of a bunch of internet strangers ?

in summary often used and safe. We can’t make any specific comments for you

To answer your question, as I've said in my op, I have contacted my midwife to ask (won't be possible to speak with her immediately on the phone) but as with many ppl posting on here I am also interested in the firsthand experiences of other women in addition to (not as a replacement for) medical advice.

I appreciate no one is able to comment on my specific situation and don't expect anyone to. I suspect this is the case with the many other posts of this or a similar nature on mn. I find the sense of community and shared experience that comes from using a forum helpful. I understand it's not a substitute for medical advice.

OP posts:
Trymein · 05/01/2023 09:56

It’s becoming standard now to prevent miscarriage.

Original poster
flowerexpress · 05/01/2023 10:01

@ssnowflake29 @ItsNotReallyChaos thank you very much for your replies. It's reassuring to hear other ppl have safely taken aspirin throughout pregnancy with no resulting issues. I'm also really sorry to hear about your previous losses.

This is my first pregnancy, yes and I don't have any history of previous miscarriages, bp issues etc. Just one slightly high bp reading during a stressful situation so was a bit surprised a long term dose might be prescribed off the back of that alone (if it has). I also haven't received or been told about any prescriptions and am now nearly fifteen weeks so all seems a bit odd. Hopefully midwife can clarify soon - I don't have any contact details for the consultant.

Thanks again for replying :) x

OP posts:
Original poster
flowerexpress · 05/01/2023 10:03

Trymein · 05/01/2023 09:56

It’s becoming standard now to prevent miscarriage.

Is it? I've not heard of this before. Even after 12w? I'll look into it, thank you and try my midwife again if I don't hear back fairly soon. Thanks for your reply x

OP posts:
Kerrielouise84 · 05/01/2023 10:05

I'm on 150mg of aspirin every evening after 4 consecutive losses, prescribed since I first found out I was pregnant again, I'm now just over 35 wks with a healthy baby girl & everything has gone perfect so far throughout this pregnancy, so I'm all for taking low dose aspirin in pregnancy 😊

LBF2020 · 05/01/2023 10:14

It's also used for people that are at risk of pre eclampsia. My midwife said it increases blood flow to the placenta, which tbh can only be a good thing?

Original poster
flowerexpress · 05/01/2023 10:16

Kerrielouise84 · 05/01/2023 10:05

I'm on 150mg of aspirin every evening after 4 consecutive losses, prescribed since I first found out I was pregnant again, I'm now just over 35 wks with a healthy baby girl & everything has gone perfect so far throughout this pregnancy, so I'm all for taking low dose aspirin in pregnancy 😊

Thanks so much for your reply. So sorry to hear about your losses and really pleased to hear your current pregnancy is going well :) x

OP posts:
TheCraicDealer · 05/01/2023 10:18

I was prescribed it at my 12w appointment for just because I had high BP during my last labour (induced via drip, back to back, epidural didn’t work- of course my BP was high!), despite low BP readings throughout that pregnancy. Honestly I think the threshold for them recommending it is just very low because there’s no real downsides to taking such a small dose.

Original poster
flowerexpress · 05/01/2023 10:19

LBF2020 · 05/01/2023 10:14

It's also used for people that are at risk of pre eclampsia. My midwife said it increases blood flow to the placenta, which tbh can only be a good thing?

Thanks so much for your reply. I wondered if it might be because of that given the high bp reading. If that's the case, it's a bit worrying it wasn't mentioned in the appt as I didn't know anything about it.

I wondered if maybe the consultant notes in the app meant the aspirin would be prescribed after the next bp check. I'll keep trying to contact my midwife to try and get to the bottom of it. Thanks again x

OP posts:
PinkPrawns2 · 05/01/2023 10:24

There's lots of information Here. Your hospital probably also has a patient information leaflet either on the app or their website that you can find.

There's usually a set criteria, first pregnancy and high BP at booking are possibly two of them. It should have been explained to you though!

Hope your midwife can clarify soon for you

Original poster
flowerexpress · 05/01/2023 10:29

PinkPrawns2 · 05/01/2023 10:24

There's lots of information Here. Your hospital probably also has a patient information leaflet either on the app or their website that you can find.

There's usually a set criteria, first pregnancy and high BP at booking are possibly two of them. It should have been explained to you though!

Hope your midwife can clarify soon for you

Oh great - that's really helpful. I'll have a look now. Thanks so much for linking it :)

OP posts:
Original poster
flowerexpress · 05/01/2023 10:32

TheCraicDealer · 05/01/2023 10:18

I was prescribed it at my 12w appointment for just because I had high BP during my last labour (induced via drip, back to back, epidural didn’t work- of course my BP was high!), despite low BP readings throughout that pregnancy. Honestly I think the threshold for them recommending it is just very low because there’s no real downsides to taking such a small dose.

Wow that sounds like a scary labour experience! Hope all is OK now. Definitely can see why your bp was high with all that going on.

Thank you - maybe that's what it is if it's so low risk to take. Sounds sensible. Thanks for your reply :)

OP posts:
00deed1988 · 05/01/2023 10:32

My trust does this a lot based on nuchal scan. My trust has a large research scan facility and they put in lots of data to determine if you are high risk for pre eclampsia and if you are then recommended aspirin, usually only till 36 weeks though so confirm with them. It is usually based on risk factors such as age, booking BP, what pregnancy it is, gaps between pregnancy, BMI, family history, medical history and also some measurements from the scans and bloods. Chat to your midwife but to be honest they probably only have the same info as you can see. Does it say anything on the scan report? May need to re-refer to the obstetrician to find out 100% why.

Bananas52 · 05/01/2023 10:38

From what I remember, it's usually two maternal factors from a list where daily aspirin is beneficial. For example, high maternal bmi, high bp reading, family history (ie if your mother has history of high bp or pre eclampsia) -- just to name a few! I think you can check on RCOG for the full list.

My midwife originally wanted me to go on, however, the consultant reviewed and said there was no clinical need and they were happy to just monitor bp.

FrenchFancier · 05/01/2023 10:54

I had it from 12 weeks because I was overweight and over 35.

Katela18 · 05/01/2023 12:05

Do you have any risk factors for pre eclampsia (weight, family history, age, history of high blood pressure?) This is why it's most commonly prescribed as it lowers BP.

I took it in both pregnancies, first one i developed severe pre - eclampsia @ 32 weeks, 2nd went full term with no complications.

It's a very low dose, half a normal adult dose x

elm26 · 05/01/2023 21:59

After my 12 week scan I was told to start taking 150mg aspirin daily until 36 weeks or until a midwife tells me to stop.

I had a slightly low PPA, something to do with blood flow to baby. They weren't concerned but said it's protocol if borderline which I was.

Best wishes for the rest of your pregnancy x

LDNLCN · 05/01/2023 22:51

I was prescribed aspirin from 14 weeks to 36 weeks for Low papp a. This was discovered during my chromosome test for downs and edwards. Have you got your results back for that yet? This could explain why. Usually they would tell you this in person before prescribing and talk you through what low papp a is but worth checking!

Dyra · 05/01/2023 23:14

I took 75mg aspirin (recommended amount at the time) from booking appointment up until 36 weeks in my first pregnancy. I ticked a few boxes for risk of pre-eclampsia as the reason why. Still developed pre-eclampsia anyway, though it was mild.

Second pregnancy I took 150mg (new recommended dose) from BFP until 36 weeks. I knew I would be on it anyway due to the previous pre-eclampsia. I figured I'd jump the gun on it as, other than mild nausea, there's no known downsides. Still got pre-eclampsia anyway, but again it was very mild.

I can see it being recommended to every pregnant woman eventually. It's such a small dose, and it only helps things.

annlee3817 · 05/01/2023 23:39

I was prescribed it due to my age, 40 when I fell pregnant, so was told to take aspirin from 12 weeks up until 40 weeks

Yellowcakestand · 05/01/2023 23:52

I was prescribed due to my sister having a PE and pre eclampsia. Just family hx

RaliaMusca · 06/01/2023 11:38

I'm also on low-dose (150mg) aspirin, in my case for bleeding in the first trimester, history of migraines and low PAPP-A.
If you want to know the exact reason why you may have been told to take it, call you midwife. They should be able to explain. All the best!

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