Baby Asprin?

[susan belisle]

Hello Ladies-

I am new to this site. But I am extremely greatful that I have found you. I am 32 with pg induced hypertention. Everyone on my mom's side of the family got hypertention early on. So I was destin to get it reguarless of being pg with my dd two yrs ago. Anyhow we are considering baby #2. I have meet with 2 Cardiologist and my OBGYN who is a high risk specialits...great team. Anyhow the things that I was told were...

1500 mg of Methyldopa is safe (I was on 800 labatalol before) And I guess I agree with that.
Calcium suppliments were good since I have to give up dairy due to the high salt. I have to stay around 1500mgs a day. I am a human rabbit these days[;)].

And the Cardio Dr. that one baby asprin a day would help my Palteletts(?) from clumping and rasing my bp. Now the research I have done on the internet all say that the baby asprin research has been inconclusive, so it may not do anything. So I am asking you guys. Hear anything on the topic? What is your 2 cents? The reason I am asking is cause that last time I took asprin... Back in college?!! I was sick and my mom said it would reduce my fever...well I ended up with a bloody nose that lasted 40 mins. I swore off the stuff ever since.

Also what is a Peri Dr.? My Cardologist had no idea what it was when I asked him.

Again Thank you so much for being here. [:D][code][/code]

Susan
Interuption 06/23/01 @20 wks
Carly 04/24/02 born 10 wks early
ttc again with pg induced hypertention

[5thtymachrm]

Yes, the studies have been inconclusive about taking a baby aspirin a day. But, they do know it works as an anticoagulant(keeps blood from clotting), and when you keep your blood from clotting you can keep your bp down in some cases. Most elderly or just older people take it daily to help them keep healthy. It is also one of the first things you give to a person if they are having a possible heart attack(you have them chew it and put it under their tongue for quick absorption).

BUT...if you have stomach issues with taking aspirin it can cause greater issues, like stomach bleeds, ulcers..etc. Not everyone gets those problems with it. there is an enteric coated aspirin, which allows the aspirin to get through your stomach w/o being broken down and into your small intestine to be broken down instead, so that you can avoid the problems.

I took a baby aspirin a day throughout my pregnancy because I had started with a blood clotting issue in my uterus. When I met with a peri for the first time(perinatologist-very high risk OB with special training) he placed me on atenolol and baby aspirin daily. They had also suggested a diet rich in protien and no more than 2grams of sodium a day and of course tons of water. I was also on bedrest for 33 weeks.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that there are TONS of opinions out there, I would go with what your high risk OB or perinatologist suggests when it comes to the pregnancy. Being pregnant puts you into a completely different category and unless the other specialists have specifically dealt with it I would also consult the perinatologist especially with the issues you have already had with previous pg's.

of course I am not a doctor and cannot give you actual medical advice, this is just my opinion and what happened with me. Being informed and planning things out for your pg is very important when you have underlying medical conditions.

Have you been tested for any underlying clotting issues or other problems by a perinatologist?

Elizabeth

Indigo E. 11/20/03:37wks, PIH

[norlisa k]

Hi Susan - Elizabeth had a good post, and I second "what she said." [:)] Yep, a perinatologist is a very high-risk OB with specialized training in maternal-fetal medicine. I had an awesome one with my pregnancy and he made sure that mom and babies made it okay. Very vigilant and thorough, not just with my preconception, pregnancy, labor, delivery, and post-partum last time around, but even with a preconception visit this time around. I hope that you find one that will do all of the testing and has all of the knowledge to answer your questions.

Best wishes your way, and we are here for support and to listen. [:)]

Hugs,
Norlisa

Norlisa Keffer(35), Washington State Coordinator / Moderator, Mothers of Multiples / Co-Moderator, Trying to Conceive
DH, Gordon (37)
Joseph/Josephine Our Angel in Heaven (9/16/02)
Mary Frances and Samuel (a.k.a. Frankie and Sammy) 38 2/7 weeks, 5/26/03, no preeclampsia during pregnancy, mom severe high blood pressure problems post-partum

[julie f]

Susan,

Just wanted to say hi and welcome to you! I am glad you have found us, you will find great support and information here.

I don't really have anything to add to what Elizabeth and Norlisa have already said but, just wanted to give you my experience with aspirin. I have three different doctors this pregnancy (1 regular OB and 2 peris), and, they all have differing opinions...! My local OB and peri would like me to start the aspirin now and my other peri says that he doubts it will have any benefit and doesn't see the need for my case. (I don't have any clotting issues) After a lot of discussion with my husband though, we're going to take the, "may not help but, shouldn't hurt" approach and start the aspirin. What does your OB say about the aspirin?

Best of luck to you!

Julie (27)
Zachary James, 7/22/03-7/27/03, born at 26wks - severe pe

Miracle in progress... #2 is due February 9, 2005!!!!

Southern California Coordinator

[susan belisle]

Thank you for your responsies. It is so amazing to have this support group. Feels like I am surrounded by supper smart people who know and understand my situation. Called my OB and turns out they are a team of 8 peri.'s. They are under the John Hopkins blanket here in the DC/Baltimore area and they are the top of the line fantastic. So when we were told that my loss was due to a "fluke" it was because they had exhaused any other possible explaintion. It was not just a mere blow off. I put the question into my OB about the asprin. But my Cardio Dr says that the asprin will help keep the platlettes slippery so that if my BP spikes they will not want clump. Seeing how many ladies out there have done and been ok makes me less concerned.

Susan
Interuption 06/23/01 @20 wks
Carly 04/24/02 born 10 wks early
ttc again with pg induced hypertention