The NHS in England and Wales have issued advice that having small doses of aspirin during pregnancy can help to lower the chances of complications caused by high blood pressure.
There is a solid link between high blood pressure during pregnancy and the condition pre-eclampsia, which can cause maternal death.
This advice comes after The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence said that women in high risk groups should take aspirin from the 12th week up until birth.
Up to 5% of first-time mothers will develop pre-eclampsia, figures show.
It is thought that the condition is going to become far more common due to women having children later in life and due to rises in obesity as are and being overweight are two of the main causes of high blood pressure during pregnancy.
High blood pressure in pregnancy can also lead to premature birth, stillbirth and babies being smaller than average.
Low-dose (75mg) aspirin has not been advised to pregnant women in the past and NICE hopes the advice will ensure consistent standards across the country.
Fergus Macbeth, director of the centre for clinical practice at NICE, said: “Hypertension, or high blood pressure, can be fairly common and can develop at any time during pregnancy. If not properly managed, it can cause serious health problems.
“That’s why it’s important that women who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy and who have either been diagnosed or identified as being at risk of developing a form of hypertension, receive a consistent, high standard of antenatal and postnatal care to prevent problems occurring.”
Dr Margaret Macdonald, chief executive of the charity Action on Pre-eclampsia, said: “Pregnant women hate to take anything during pregnancy. This guidance is reassurance that it is OK to take aspirin for high blood pressure if you need to.
“Also, the guidance makes sure that GPs, consultants and midwives everywhere are doing this.”
The guidance warns against giving women drugs called angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), which can increase the risk of congenital abnormalities if taken during pregnancy.
Expectant mothers should also not rely on lower their salt intake to help lower their blood pressure as this will have little effect.
Women with hypertension or pre-eclampsia should be offered a package of care including admission to hospital for monitoring and treatment, says NICE.
In some cases, the pregnancy may need to be delivered early.
There is still no clear cut test, treatment or cure for pre-eclampsia, say experts.
You can purchase low strength aspirin from Pharmacy First at very resonable prices. The 75mg aspirin tablets sell in packs of 56 for only 49p. If you have any questions or concerns after reading this article then please feel free to contact us. We would always advise you to consult your GP before taking medication during pregnancy.