It goes without saying: Moms-to-be know to tread carefully when taking any sort of medication during pregnancy. One drug of concern, in particular, has no consensus among doctors—some make it a point to prescribe it during pregnancy while others avoid it altogether. That drug is aspirin, and a new study suggests it may have more benefits than previously thought.
Those benefits apply to a specific group: women who have experienced a loss. Research from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) indicates a daily low dose of aspirin may help these women both successfully conceive and carry a pregnancy to term.
The key phrase here is “low dose.” Among our users who’ve discussed being prescribed aspirin during pregnancy, baby aspirin has been the specific medication. According to the NIH, the low dosage is still enough to reduce levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) in the bloodstream, which causes system-wide inflammation. Chronic inflammation is linked to complications like preeclampsia and miscarriage.
To come to this conclusion, NIH researchers took a closer look at the 2014 Effects of Aspirin in Gestation and Reproduction (EAGeR) trial, which, at the time, determined aspirin did not help prevent pregnancy loss. While this new interpretation is promising, more research is needed to confirm the findings.
Talk to your doctor before taking any medication during pregnancy.
Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.
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