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

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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

Hey OP, I was prescribed aspirin from my 8 week booking appointment up until 36 weeks due to my high BMI and weight. I take 75mg every night if that's any help x

Thanks so much everyone for all your replies. At first I wondered if it might be a mistake as it seemed a bit out of the blue (no history of mc thankfully, bleeds, high bmi etc). As far as I know, just that one high bp reading but sounds like, from your replies, maybe that's enough for them to prescribe baby aspirin as a precaution - which is a smidge worrying as it wasn't mentioned, I have no prescription etc. Still trying to get hold of my midwife. Will keep trying. I haven't had the results of the screening through yet so don't know if it's anything from that yet unfortunately.

Bit concerned now that they think I should be taking it but I didn't know and am struggling to get hold of it/confirm. It's only been about a week so hopefully not too big a worry but not ideal :s

Thanks so much again for all your replies and so sorry to hear about your losses those of you who have mentioned them x

My GP was puzzled why my midwife told me to go to her to get an aspirin prescription. After quizzing me over my family medical history and taking my blood pressure, weight etc she contacted a consultant obstetrician.

He sent her a list of up to date reasons why pregnant women are told to take low dose aspirin in the area. They included having a 8 year gap between pregnancies, age, bmi, miscarriage, bp reading and more complex health issues where a consultant decides it is needed.

Some point later where the midwife clinic was held they put up a poster stating why some pregnant women in the area should take low dose aspirin.

The reasons including age where it is advised vary slightly between areas.

I suggest you confirm with the midwife that you need to take it right up to 40 weeks due to the small risk of bleeding.

There are other reasons for taking aspirin than high BP/pre eclampsia. My BP is low but I'm taking 150mg aspirin daily because I have an autoimmune condition. I am told I have to stop at 36 weeks.

The 12/40 in your notes may not mean 12-40 weeks, it may just mean from 12 weeks. I've seen this notation used as shorthand for weeks. So 12/40 means 12 weeks, similarly "been vomiting for 3/7" would mean for 3 days, etc. So definitely check when you need to stop taking it, and also the right dosage for you.

I was told it was fine to take it right up to delivery, I double checked with the consultant and the anaesthetist told me it was fine right up to birth too. I'd read about stopping at 36 weeks but that's not necessary now.

Hiya I had to take aspirin from 12w too and it's been completely fine. Mine was to prevent pre eclampsia as I had some risk factors (My BMI and my mother having pre eclampsia with me). Have you any risk factors for it? I gather it can also be things like age and ethnicity etc. Xx

As others have said, you must hit a couple of the risk factors from a list (they were in a green booklet when I was pregnant a few years ago, I loved it!). If you're consultant-led for your pregnancy, I'm guessing there must be some risk factors you're already aware of?

Strange not to mention it though!

Hi everyone,

Thanks so much again for all your replies. Still can't get hold of my midwife. This is my first pregnancy so I have no idea how easily you're meant to be able to get hold of them :/ I left a message and phoned three times over a few days but it just cuts out after a few rings. I checked I have the right number. Presumably she's busy with others etc but no call back or contact yet. I've left a message with the receptionist at the gp surgery. Does anyone know if that's just normal? First contact Wednesday evening. I can imagine they're obviously very busy but I do feel a bit worried about it/alone. I guess it's not been very long really so don't want to be demanding - just feels like a long time when I don't know if baby isn't getting medicine that might be beneficial and I'm meant to book in bp check etc.

I called the antenatal clinic instead in the end and the lady went through risk factors and said it sounds like it could be a mistake. She didn't seem to think one bp reading was enough markers to prescribe aspirin because of. She said she'd look into it and call me back.

Thanks again for all your replies! I really appreciate it. I'll definitely check (if I get it) about when I should stop taking it and why I'm being prescribed it x

*as in I sent the first message asking Wednesday (5ish).

It’s a bit worrying you’ve had such a hard time getting hold of your midwife. This is definitely not normal. My hospital has a midwifery team so it’s slightly different, I am at a maternity hospital so maybe that’s why but there is always someone to speak to. And my friend who is also pregnant with her first pretty much has her midwife on speed dial and can text her for anything.

When you eventually do get some answers I would raise this as a concern. If it were me I would be pulling my hair out after one day of no response. In fact I’d have probably turned up at the hospital demanding answers by now (I’m not very patient haha).

If it is low papp a you have until 16 weeks to start the aspirin as the affects do not work as well after 16 weeks. So definitely keep pushing for answers just incase.

In my area every mom is now given aspirin to take until 40 weeks.