Not treatment of hypertension
At booking your Ob does risk assessment and if they tell you you need low dose aspirin thats is to mitigate the risk of preeclampsia which is high risk condition of high blood pressure, body swelling, compromised fetal growth and fits in severe form. Mind it, its not treatment of existing blood pressure. So even if your blood pressure is normal you need to take it.
How it works
During your placental formation (the organ which connects mother and baby) new blood vessels are being formed like branches of tree. If a small clot forms it can stop the vascular branches from growing further. Which can result high pressure flow in constricted vessels that result high pressures in placenta and consequently in woman. Low dose aspirin keeps vascular formation normal by keeping the blood flow steady by making it thinner.
To whom to offer
Low-dose aspirin (81 mg/day) prophylaxis should be initiated between 12 weeks and 28 weeks of gestation (optimally before 16 weeks) and continued daily until delivery in following patients.
– It should be offered to women at high risk of preeclampsia
– It should be considered for women with more than one of several moderate risk factors for preeclampsia
Aspirin not recommended
Low-dose aspirin prophylaxis is not recommended in following scenarios in the absence of risk factors for preeclampsia
– Prior unexplained stillbirth
– Prevention of fetal growth restriction.
– Prevention of spontaneous preterm birth.
– Prevention of early pregnancy loss