Can You Take Aspirin While Pregnant?

Pregnancy, a period of patience, emotions, strength, family, joy and whatever you name, it is indeed a period of some phenomenon of the human body, broadly speaking a critical part of any living female being. Medicines are small support systems used to fill up the hurdles in the form of pain. Should Aspirin, a commonly prescribed medicine, be used in pregnancy or not?

Let’s solve your doubt!

Aspirin is an NSAID that aids in recovering from fever and aching and reduces inflammation. People with peripheral risks of heart attacks (Low Blood Pressure), blood clots, strokes, arthritis take Aspirin as it helps them to stay resistant to such diseases for an extended period. Others with severe headaches such as migraine, flu, and strains can use Aspirin to treat these issues effectively.

But at the same time, taking this drug daily can cause unfavorable side effects, specifically on the stomach. These side effects include stomach ulcers, bleeding, and in the worst scenarios, the person using it could get asthma because of overdosing. So here, the question arises whether it is good to take Aspirin while pregnant. Below is the answer to your question.

Is Taking Aspirin during Pregnancy a Good Idea or not?

Aspirin is available in two doses, i.e., 325 milligrams and 81 milligrams. Taking a 325mg tablet isn't recommended by any healthcare provider as it is unsafe for pregnant women and can create a lot of complications, particularly if you're taking it as a regular painkiller. A few studies show taking Aspirin in the early stage of pregnancy increases the chances of miscarriage.

Within this framework, it is advised to all pregnant women not to take any tablet without their doctor's consent. In addition, excessive aspirin intake can also lead to life-threatening problems for the mother and baby. Usually, it is only for those pregnant women experiencing medical issues such as preeclampsia. (ACOG)

How Does Aspirin Treat Preeclampsia During Pregnancy?

Preeclampsia leads to the premature delivery of the baby. The baby's life gets in danger when the baby delivers before 34 weeks. Some of the infant's issues include organ damage and lack of oxygen. So, during this crucial time, one must take precautionary steps to save the baby's and the mother's life. 

Some gynecologists prescribe low-dose Aspirin from 60-100mg. Still, 81mg tablets are usually readily available, so it is advised to take them regularly to lower the risk of preeclampsia during pregnancy. Women with preeclampsia start taking doses between 12 to 28 weeks of pregnancy until they deliver the baby.

The Proof Center:

A Study was conducted with the help of 35 placebo with a meta analysis of 46,568 pregnant women. The aspirin was low dosed in them. It was continued for 20 weeks. The effect of aspirin decreased the effect of preeclampsia but did not decrease the gestational hyper tension in them . Together it proves the that lower dose of aspirin can prevent preeclampsia  without increasing bleeding risk. (Choi YJ, Shin S. Aspirin Prophylaxis During Pregnancy)

How is taking Aspirin Beneficial For Other Diseases during Pregnancy?

During pregnancy, women face a lot of complexities, such as hypertension, gestational diabetes (GDM), anemia, and antiphospholipid syndrome. These can be treated with different remedies. But consuming a high dose of any medication can increase the risk of complications. That's why doctors always think wisely before commencing any medication for a pregnant woman.

Antiphospholipid syndrome is another convolution a pregnant woman may face. In this condition, women have inevitable antibodies in their blood and blood clots which create many other problems. This can also be treated by taking 81mg (low dose) of Aspirin as per the recommendation of experts.

What Should You Do While Taking Aspirin?

Sometimes, taking an extreme amount of Aspirin (if you're taking a dose daily on your own) may also cause difficulties for the baby in the womb. The baby's kidney may be affected, and the level of amniotic fluid surrounding the baby starts decreasing. But if your healthcare provider recommends Aspirin, which treats preeclampsia very well, even then, you just need to do the following steps to prevent further complications:

• Do not take any other medicine without letting your doctor know
• Keep a close watch on abnormal symptoms you experience
• Visit the gynecologists for regular check-ups
• If Aspirin is not compatible with your body, ask the doctor to change the prescription according to your issues

Some pregnant women's bodies show the opposite result because of consuming Aspirin (even after taking the low-dose tablet). So considering their case, doctors prescribe them Tylenol or other medication rather than Aspirin.

How Do You Intake Aspirin During Pregnancy?

You can get mild indigestion problems if you take Aspirin on an empty stomach. The most recommended way to take the dose is to either take it with the food or right after you finish it. That's how it will not affect your stomach. Further, if you are also consuming any other indigestion medication, ensure you take them before or after two hours of taking Aspirin.

Conclusion

However, there are several benefits of taking Aspirin during pregnancy if you take it with your doctor's consultation. But if your body reacts oppositely, you need to stop taking it and go for a check-up. Primarily, the body reacts when women start taking it in the first trimester. 

So, it is best to start consuming it during the third trimester as it is advantageous for the baby's growth in the womb and prevents difficulties while delivering the baby. But all of this is possible if you follow up on the plan and the dosage system your doctor provides.