WOMENS-HEALTH Messages for August, 1997: Re: aspirin to prevent some late losses?

Re: aspirin to prevent some late losses?

From: Kelly (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Thu, 28 Aug 1997 19:34:34 -0500 (CDT)

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At Mon, 25 Aug 1997, Noelle wrote:

>How does aspirin help prevent some late losses? What types of losses and
>due to what circumstances? Do those losses have to do with placental
>failure and/or abruption? I'm very interested here since my son was
>stillborn at 31 weeks and no answers were found, and I'd love any more
>info about preventative aspirin therapy.
>
>Thank you!!
>
>--
>Noelle
>Mom to Ethan (stillborn 12/2/96) and Max (due 11/4/97)
>

Noelle

Some cases of stillbirths are related to antiphospholipid syndrome; the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies interferes with the functioning of the placenta.Basically, little blood clots form and prevent the baby fromn getting adequent oxygen and nutrients, and prevent the proper elimination of waste products across the placenta (it's a lot more complex than that, but I'm a simple person).

If there are antiphospholipid antibodies present (2 common tests are anticardiolipin antibody and lupus anticoagulant), then taking low dose aspirin (81 mg) daily may help prevent these micro-clots. Sometimes heparin, another blood thinner, is added.

Aspirin may also help prevent high blood pressure which may be the cause of some stillbirths. Some studies support this, and others found no difference with aspirin. Sometimes we doctors may recommend a treatment if it *might* help, even if we don't have rock solid data to back it up.

Aspirin, if used, should only be used upon your doctors advice and it needs to be stopped before delivery to avoid excessive bleeding.

The very best to you and little Max throughout the rest of your pregnancy,

-- Kelly Shanahan, MD, FACOG S. Lake Tahoe, CA

note: Opinions here are for educational purposes only. This information is not intended to supplant the need for you to consult with your own physician. It cannot take the place of a face to face consultation and examination.

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