The drug known as aspirin is prepared based on acetylsalicylic acid and is very popular among the population for its analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant, and antipyretic effects. In addition, due to its rapid and effective action on conditions, they make it the first choice of many people, so it is expected that it is part of the medicine cabinet kept at home, schools, and work centers.
During pregnancy, specific ailments and inflammation are expected to become present due to the series of changes that the body undergoes, both internally and externally. They want to be relieved by taking the medications on hand without the indication of a specialist and not having the certainty of whether or not it can affect the development of the fetus. Therefore, if you wonder if I can take aspirin if I am pregnant, in this FastlyHealarticle, we offer you all the information on this issue that worries many women.
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Effect of aspirin during pregnancy
The fetus receives through the bloodstream, which circulates from the placenta to the umbilical cord oxygen and nutrients from everything the mother ingests, including drug compounds and harmful substances. For this reason, it is essential to see a doctor to indicate what drugs can be taken during pregnancy so that it does not harm the baby.
Despite this, the effect of ingested aspirin can vary depending on the dose, the frequency, and the trimester in which the future mother is. During the first trimester, the fetus can absorb only a tiny amount, so the risk of being affected is lower, especially in low doses and if it was a single dose; however, it is most recommended to avoid it altogether to prevent any problem.
In the second trimester of pregnancy, the risk of consequences increases by administering aspirin, although the doctor could almost certainly prescribe a minimal dose and for a short time, but this occurs only in certain circumstances and if the patient’s condition allows it. . For the third trimester, the absorption of nutrients and pharmacological compounds is much higher, being in this stage more contraindicated the intake of acetylsalicylic acid due to the high probability of suffering adverse effects on the fetus or delivery.
Can you take aspirin during pregnancy?
Unless the specialist indicates it for some diseases and is always under their control, you cannot take aspirin if you are pregnant. In most cases, its intake is not safe due to the possible risks of complications both in the mother and the fetus.
Taking the adult dose of aspirin in pregnancy is prohibited because there is a possibility of miscarriage, the fetus not growing correctly, and the risk of the placenta detaching from the uterus before the delivery date increases, thus preventing the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the baby. The greatest danger of this happening is frequent intake and doing it in the first or last trimester.
On the other hand, taking acetylsalicylic acid while pregnant and in the last trimester can result in delayed delivery, heavy bleeding in the mother or fetus, and the newborn having heart or lung problems. Also, brain or intraventricular bleeding is higher in babies born prematurely.
Aspirin in pregnancy: what is it for?
It is not safe to take aspirin while pregnant, but your doctor may order it to treat certain conditions. If this medicine has already been part of treatment before becoming pregnant, it may have to be continued. Still, the dose and duration should be adjusted according to the condition of the patient and the development of the fetus. If you take aspirin, it will always be under medical supervision.
One of the cases in which the specialist could prescribe the intake of acetylsalicylic acid in pregnancy is if the woman suffers from the antiphospholipid syndrome, in which the immune system itself mistakenly attacks proteins in the blood and, consequently, favors the formation of blood clots in the blood vessels and organs. This alteration in pregnancy, if not treated, increases the risk of spontaneous abortion or fetal death due to poor embryo implantation or thrombosis.
Likewise, the use of aspirin in pregnancy has increased to reduce the possibility of suffering from pre-eclampsia, the complication of which consists of a high increase in blood pressure after 20 weeks of gestation and which can be fatal for both women. as for the baby, if it is not controlled. However, this treatment is only for patients who have a high probability of suffering from the disorder, such as those with a history of pre-eclampsia, who have hypertension, or obesity.
Despite this, aspirin treatment for pre-eclampsia has to start in the first weeks of pregnancy in low doses since if it is started after 20 weeks, it is not practical. It is also necessary to conduct a test beforehand since this alteration may be due to other causes in which acetylsalicylic acid has no effect.
Other options to replace aspirin in pregnancy
Because it is not recommended to take aspirin if you are pregnant, it is important not to self-medicate and go to the doctor to prescribe some medication that alleviates the alteration you suffer, such as pain or inflammation, but that does not pose risks to the health of the baby or the woman. One of the most frequent suggestions is the occasional use of paracetamol. However, its regular use also carries some possible risks.
In addition to acetylsalicylic acid, you should avoid taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, and ketoprofen during pregnancy, as they can cause risks similar to aspirin.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Can I take aspirin if I’m pregnant? We recommend that you enter our Pregnancy and baby health category.
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.