High-Risk Pregnancy? Low-Dose Aspirin Can Help

Weight gain, nausea and swollen feet are typical discomforts when you’re pregnant. But for up to 8 percent of pregnant women, those seemingly harmless symptoms can signal the onset of preeclampsia. This serious condition is linked to an increase in maternal and infant mortality, and affects up to 15 percent of preterm births in the U.S. 

Preeclampsia is not curable and can escalate quickly, so monitoring and taking preventive measures is crucial, says Dr. Christopher L. Dixon, maternal fetal care physician with the Orlando Health Winnie Palmer Hospital Center for Maternal Fetal Medicine.

Any pregnant woman can develop the condition, which is diagnosed by persistent high blood pressure. But for those at higher risk, low doses of aspirin are increasingly being prescribed as a protective measure.

A Daily Dose

For women in a high-risk category, doctors may recommend taking a low dose of aspirin daily. If started during weeks 12 to 28 of pregnancy, it can decrease preeclampsia complications by as much as 24 percent, according to a recent study by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and supported by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

Follow-up testing showed no increase in infant loss, growth issues or cognitive harm to the baby. There also was no added risk of miscarriage or early delivery.

The typical daily aspirin prescription is 81mg, but there is evidence that higher doses – up to 150mg –  may be even more beneficial. The Maternal Fetal Medicine group at Orlando Health Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies prescribes doses of 100mg and 150mg to high-risk patients. 

Always talk to your doctor before taking any medications.

Am I At-Risk?

Several factors can increase your risk of developing preeclampsia, including:

• Being a first-time mom
• Being younger than 20 or older than 35 
• Carrying multiple babies
• Being of African-American descent
• Obesity, with a BMI of 30 or greater