Iris, Medical Physics, Poole Hospital

Maternity Patient information

ASPIRIN IN PREGNANCY

Your midwife has identified that you are at increased risk of developing pre-eclampsia, and we advise you to take Aspirin during your pregnancy to reduce this risk.

Pre-eclampsia is a serious condition which can lead to complications for both you and your baby.

Starting to take Aspirin before week 16 of your pregnancy has been shown to have a statistically significant effect on reducing the risk of severe pre-eclampsia.

Pre-eclampsia affects 3–5% of pregnancies and accounts for more than 50,000 maternal deaths annually worldwide. The condition is characterised by a combination of raised blood pressure (hypertension) and protein in the urine. Symptoms can include:

• Severe swelling of hands, feet or face • Severe pain under the ribs • Severe headaches • Visual disturbances • Nausea/vomiting • Feeling unwell

You are at a higher risk of developing pre-eclampsia if you have:

• Had hypertensive disease during a previous pregnancy • Chronic kidney disease • Autoimmune disease (systemic lupus erythematosus or antiphospholipid syndrome) • Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes • Chronic hypertension

OR if you have more than one of the following:

• This is your first pregnancy • You are age 40 years or older • Pregnancy gap of more than 10 years • Your body mass index (BMI) is more than 35 kg/m2 or more at first visit • Family history of pre-eclampsia (Mother or Sister) • Multiple pregnancy

You will be given two boxes of Aspirin from the maternity hospital when you attend for your 12 week scan.

The recommended dose is 150mgs once a day (preferably at night). The tablets are 75mgs so you will need to take two tablets at the same time each day.

Template date: June 2019 1 Aspirin in Pregnancy © Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

You are advised to continue taking Aspirin until you are 36 weeks pregnant.

When you are due to run out of tablets please contact your GP for more medication.

You cannot take Aspirin if you have any of the following:

• Allergic reaction to Aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as Ibuprofen in the past • Asthma • Active, or history of, stomach ulcers or gastrointestinal haemorrhage • Severe liver or kidney impairment • Gout • Haemophilia or another bleeding disorder • Uncontrolled high blood pressure • Under 16 – medication containing Aspirin shouldn't be given to children under 16

Please make sure you have informed your midwife if you are already taking any of the following medicines due to an increased bleeding risk:

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Ibuprofen/Nurofen) • Heparin or Low Molecular Weight Heparin (LMWH) e.g. Dalteparin • Antidepressants (including citalopram, sertraline)

Please contact your GP if you suffer with any of the following side effects:

• Breathing difficulties • New itchy rash • Increased bleeding tendencies (gums) • Nausea or vomiting • Indigestion • Feeling unwell

Please phone 999 for emergency medical advice and assistance in the event of a serious reaction or collapse.

References NICE Clinical Guideline NG 133, (2019). Hypertension in pregnancy. Diagnosis and management. NICE: London Useful websites- Action on Pre-eclampsia (APEC) website

Contact details Ante-Natal Clinic (ANC) 01202 448472

Antenatal Day Assessment (ANDA) 01202 442316

For further information please look at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) website. For general health-related information, please ask the relevant department for an information prescription or contact:

Patient Experience Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Longfleet Road Poole Dorset BH15 2JB

Telephone: 01202 448499 www.poole.nhs.uk

Author: S Bayal Date: June 2020 Review date: June 2023 Version number: 1 Ward sister/head of department: S Dell

We can supply this information in other formats, in larger print or have it translated for you. Please call the Patient Experience Team on 01202 448499 or email patient [email protected] for advice.

If you wish to make any comments or to ask about any research evidence used to write this leaflet, please contact the Patient Experience Team on 01202 448499, write to the Patient Experience Team (address above) or email [email protected]