Aspirin Reduces High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy
One in twenty pregnant women suffers from high blood pressure or preeclampsia during pregnancy. Complications developing out of pregnancy-induced hypertension increase the risk of both fetal and maternal deaths. High blood pressure during pregnancy increases the risk of preterm delivery. Emergency Caesarean before the completion of the full term of the pregnancy is often recommended to save both the baby and the mother. Babies born to mothers with preeclampsia have lower than average birth weight. Risk of preeclampsia is greater in first time pregnancies. Overweight women, older women and women with a personal or family history of preeclampsia have a greater risk of developing pregnancy-induced high blood pressure.
Reducing blood pressure level by limiting consumption of salt and sodium rich foods might not be suitable during pregnancy. The body of a pregnant woman needs normal salt intake to restore normal fluid circulation in the body. Even taking high doses of vitamins C and E could not prevent this condition. Health experts believe that aspirin is a better option for treating pregnancy-induced hypertension.
Aspirin prevents preeclampsia
75 mg of aspirin should be taken daily by pregnant women with high blood pressure levels. It should be taken daily from the 12th week of pregnancy. However, pregnant women should not self medicate. They should take aspirin doses as advised by their doctors. Studies have shown that aspirin could reduce preeclampsia risk by almost 10 per cent.
How aspirin prevents preeclampsia
Defect in the placenta is blamed for causing abnormal elevation in the blood pressure level. It could lead to blood clotting in the placenta. Aspirin could prevent complications associated with pregnancy-induced hypertension by preventing blood coagulation and vasoconstriction in the placenta.
Side effects of aspirin
Daily intake of an anti-platelet substance during pregnancy might increase the risk of bleeding during pregnancy and during delivery. However, in a University of Sydney study, researchers have not found any association between long-term aspirin consumption and bleeding at any stage of pregnancy. Nonetheless, aspirin might not be safe for women with stomach disorders or asthma. Health experts believe that despite the side effects linked to long term aspirin intake, the benefits of aspirin consumption will outweigh the risks.
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