Aspirin during pregnancy - any experience of this?

Sarahsaver

** i know the rules of the board and i am NOT asking for medical advice**
I just want to know what other peoples' experiences are because I have just been told to take aspirin with no advice or explanation by the doctor. (not my GP or my stroke consultant just a doctor in the antenatal clinic who hurriedly 'read' my notes :mad: )
I had a stroke in 2001 and I am now 22 weeks pregnant. i am really annoyed because today a doctor told me I had to take aspirin for no other reason other than 'statistical risk'. Before the pregnancy I was size 8, low body fat, low BMI, non smoker, not heavy drinking, no processed food. In fact i had to stop aspirin over a year and a half ago because my blood was getting TOO thin. They didnt even do a blood test. They told me nothing of the possible risks to the baby or myself, or whether I will be able to breastfeed if indeed i do decide to take the aspirin.
if they had bothered to read my notes that I haemorraged heavily after the birth of one of my sons, so AFAIK aspirin making your blood thinner would make things like that worse!

Is there anyone else around who had taken aspirin during pregnancy for medical reasons, and were you told if it would affect breastfeeding?

keelykat

Hi ya-im almost 23 weeks pregnant, and taking a low dose of aspirin daily. This is because i have high blood pressure and am on meds for this, i was told the aspirin would help thin the blood a bit and so reduce risk of clots, help aid blood flow etc.

I assume you stop taking it towards the end, and before breastfeeding (i def need to swap back to original meds before i can b-feed i know that for sure). I totally trust the consultant and midwife etc, but if you are worried-id ask. I always ask for explainations when given new meds or tablets to take.

keely.

Sarahsaver

I ask too but the doc was so in a hurry and i felt unable to ask anything having had this sprung on me like this! Also i was upset a bit by her attitude.
did they mention if there are any risks to the baby?
Thanks for sharing your experiences;)

keelykat

No-i wouldnt take anything that would harm baby. Went for another scan today, with the consultant and there's no problems. Im having regular check ups to make sure baby is doing well.

Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy, ring your midwife if you are concerned about anything.

keely.

pavlovs_dog

i dont know whether they would be able to answer such a specific query, but you could try contacting NHS direct for advice?

or i believe there are organisations to promote and encourage breastfeeding - perhaps they could advise until you can get hold of your docs?

Sarahsaver

keelykat wrote: »

No-i wouldnt take anything that would harm baby. .

I have heard that it may cause a lot of complications for the baby thats what im worried about.
typically my midwife is on holiday this week.

Toomuchdebt

I am on a low dose of aspirin too-it's meant to be 81mg but I take a standard 300mg tablet and break it into 4 and have one piece each day (making it 75mg).Low doses aren't dangerous to the baby...a high dose would be.I assume your doc wants you to take it because of the risk of a clot causing a stroke?I was told to stop taking it at 37 weeks so that it wouldn't cause excessive bleeding at delivery.HTH.

Sarahsaver

Thanks for all your replies you have all been much more help then the hospital was :eek:
I contacted the La Leche League and they too responded quickly with a detailled email with all the things i need to ask when i am in a better mood and to a doctor who has the time to listen!

pavlovs_dog

hope that (between them) they manage to put your mind at rest.

are you going to find out the sex of the baby or keep it as a surprise? are your kids excited about being big brothers/sister?

Sarahsaver

I am not going to ask what the sex is. Its local policy not to tell anyway.
They are looking forward to it and hopefully it will b easier than before with only 14 months between the boys :eek:

Night_KD

I'd get a better Dr. I worked in a Pharmacy until recently and the only time we'd recommend anything other than paracetamol for pregnant women was if REALLY neccessary. Eg risky areas such as LONG flights, one low dose aspirin on the way, one on the way back.

Aspirin can cause development problems and a syndrome (can't remember name, sorry!) in children under 16 if they take it themselves. Seen as most medicines are under >12< this kinda shows it's a little more difficult as a medicine...

I'd hate to think how it could effect a developing baby.

In low doses, if the Dr says it's okay, then I guess it must be.

Don't just take my word, this is just from what I've been taught, so Dr should know a lot better than me.

I'd request a blood test to see if it's REALLY neccessary and make sure you're told the risks and ask any questions about anything you're worrying about.

Anyway, don't worry about it, just make sure you know what you need to know. And good luck!