Blood Flow and Baby-Making: The Aspirin Connection

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We dive deep into the evidence behind aspirin use during pregnancy, examining why fertility clinics recommend it and how to weigh the risks and benefits of this common intervention. The podcast explores low-dose aspirin's role in improving blood flow to the placenta, potentially preventing complications for mothers with specific risk factors.

• Low-dose aspirin (81mg) works by preventing tiny blood clots and reducing inflammation
• Studies show aspirin may reduce preeclampsia risk by 24% in high-risk pregnancies when started before 16 weeks
• Particularly beneficial for women with recurrent pregnancy loss, preeclampsia risk, or undergoing fertility treatments
• Potential risks include increased bleeding during delivery, rare placenta abruption, and stomach irritation
• Decision to use aspirin must be individualized and made with healthcare provider guidance
• Important to question routine interventions and understand the specific reasoning behind recommendations

Remember, the best decisions are made with knowledge, care, and your unique circumstances in mind. If you found this episode helpful, please share it with a friend, leave a review, or subscribe for more evidence-based conversations about pregnancy and motherhood.

Shownotes:

Links to Studies:

The Lancet - 

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanhae/article/PIIS2352-3026(24)00341-7/abstract?utm

Fertility & Sterility - 

https://www.fertstert.org/article/S0015-0282%2805%2900221-9/fulltext?utm

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:06):
Hey Mamas, you're listening to Tend and Befriend,
a podcast about women's mentaland physical health.
This is Debra.
I'm a mom of two, a labor andbirth coach and birth advocate,
a health professional, and todayI'm your host.
Let's dive into today's episode.
Hello Mama, and welcome to Tendand Be Friend.

(00:29):
This podcast is where weexplore evidence-based topics in
pregnancy, postpartum andbeyond.
I'm Debra, your doula and yourhost, and today we're discussing
a fascinating topic that getsbrought up often with me in the
treatment room Aspirin use inpregnancy.
Why do infertility clinicsrecommend it?

(00:50):
What does the science say aboutits safety and how do we weigh
the risk and the benefits?
Let's dive into the researchand help you feel a little more
informed about this choice.
Aspirin, specifically low-doseaspirin, often 81 milligrams,
has become a commonrecommendation in certain
pregnancies, especially infertility treatments.

(01:11):
But why Low-dose aspirin isthought to improve blood flow,
and by that we mean blood flowto the placenta, by preventing
tiny blood clots and reducinginflammation.
This can be especially helpfulfor women with certain
conditions such as recurrentpregnancy loss, preeclampsia and
infertility treatments.
So studies suggest aspirin mayreduce the risk of miscarriage

(01:33):
in women with antiphospholipidsyndrome, a condition that
increases blood clot risk.
The American College ofObstetrics, and Gynecologists
recommend low-dose aspirin forhigh-risk pregnancies to reduce
the likelihood of preeclampsia,a condition characterized by
high blood pressure and organdamage.
Then, with infertilitytreatments, some infertility

(01:55):
clinics recommend low-doseaspirin to improve uterine blood
flow and to create a morefavorable environment for embryo
implantation.
It's important to note that theuse of aspirin in pregnancy is
highly specific and should onlybe done under the guidance of a
healthcare provider.
The science behind aspirin use?
Aspirin works by inhibitingenzymes in the body called

(02:19):
cyclooxygenase.
These enzymes play a role inthe formation of blood clots and
inflammation, and by reducingthe clotting and the
inflammation, aspirin can helpimprove blood flow, particularly
to the placenta, which iscritical, you know, to sustain a
healthy pregnancy.
In a large study that waspublished in the Lancet,
low-dose aspirin was shown toreduce the risk of preeclampsia

(02:42):
by up to 24% in high-riskpregnancies when started before
16 weeks of gestation, andanother study in fertility and
sterility highlighted aspirin'spotential role in improving
implantation rates in womenundergoing IVF in vitro
fertilization.
Now, while the science ispromising, it's also nuanced.

(03:02):
Not every pregnancy willbenefit from aspirin and its use
must be tailored to individualcircumstances.
And, like any medication,aspirin use in pregnancy comes
with some potential risk.
While low-dose aspirin isgenerally considered safe, it's
not without caution.
So there are bleeding risks,and aspirin's anti-clotting
properties can increase the riskof bleeding, particularly

(03:24):
during delivery or if taken in ahigher dosage.
It may also increase the riskof placenta abruption.
In rare cases, aspirin mayincrease the risk of the
placenta detaching from theuterine wall too early.
And then taking aspirin cancause stomach issues.
Even at low doses, aspirin canirritate your stomach lining and

(03:47):
causing discomfort and orulcers.
That said, these risks areconsidered low when aspirin is
used appropriately and undermedical supervision.
One of the most critical aspectsof aspirin use in pregnancy is
the balance between those risksand those benefits.
So for women with a history ofmiscarriage or conditions like
antiphospholipid syndrome, thepotential benefits often

(04:10):
outweigh the risk.
Preventing a miscarriage orcomplications like preeclampsia
can be life-saving for both momand baby.
However, for pregnancieswithout those risk factors,
aspirin may not provideadditional benefits and could
introduce, you know, someunnecessary risk, and that's why
it's really, really importantto have an open, informed

(04:32):
conversation with your healthcare provider.
Ultimately, the decision to useaspirin during your pregnancy
is a deeply personal one.
When faced with the choice,though, between preserving a
pregnancy and the possibility ofa miscarriage.
This topic can be extremelychallenging to address and may
feel like an obvious decision.
You always want to askquestions, to understand the

(04:55):
reasoning behind your provider'srecommendation and remember
that you are an activeparticipant in your care.
It's worth noting that, whileaspirin can be a valuable tool,
its use should not be automaticor routine.
The overuse of interventions inpregnancy, including aspirin,
highlight the importance ofindividualized care.
Every pregnancy is unique andwhat works for one mom may not

(05:17):
necessarily be right for another.
That's it for today's episode onaspirin use in pregnancy.
That's it for today's episodeon aspirin use in pregnancy.
Thank you for joining me ontoday's episode of Tend and
Befriend.
I hope this exploration ofaspirin use in pregnancy has
helped you feel a little moreinformed and remember the best
decisions are the ones made withknowledge, care and your unique

(05:38):
circumstances in mind.
If you found this episodehelpful or that someone else
could use the information,please share it with a friend,
leave a review or subscribe formore evidence-based
conversations about pregnancyand motherhood.
Until next time, take care andI'll talk to you soon.
Any information you hear orthat is suggested or recommended

(05:59):
on these episodes is notmedical advice.
Talk to you soon.
Okay, let's talk soon.