Have ET for last five years, pregnant and on aspirin…need advice!!

[mustabshra]

Hello everyone,

I am 23 weeks pregnant on aspirin 100mg. Although my platelets are in normal range after getting pregnant, which is due to pregnancy off course. But I was just wondering why I need to take aspirin then?I am also low risk for high blood pressure in pregnancy. I heard aspirin can affect baby, so if there is no need why they put me on aspirin?. Any insight would be really appreciated.thanks

[hunter5582]

Congratulations on the intending birth!

The risk for thrombosis when you have ET is not just based on the number of platelets. The risk is more based on how the blood cells behave than their number. The dysregulation of the JAK-STAT pathway does more than increase hematopoiesis. It can also make blood cells "extra sticky." This increases the risk of thrombosis and microvascular symptoms.

The decision about anti-platelet therapy must take into account the risk for thrombosis or microvascular symptoms vs the risks of aspirin adverse effects. No medication is without risks. You must also think about the risk of thrombosis during pregnancy in making this decision. The Mayo Clinic recommends low dose aspirin during pregnancy for certain types of medical disorders.

mayoclinic.org/healthy-life...

I would note that aspirin comes in other low-dose formulations. 81mg is standard low-dose here in the USA. I found 81mg to be too high for me as I experienced excessive hemorrhaging. I opted for a 40.5mg daily dose (1/2 of a chewable tab). You might consider a lower dose of aspirin in consultation with your care team.

Please be sure to review your concerns with a MPN Specialist and with a high-risk pregnancy specialist. Regular hematologists and obstetricians may not have the expertise you need.

All the best to you.

[Anniepops112]

When you are pregnant your blood volume increases so your platelet counts naturally decreases anyway.

My understanding is the risk when taking anti-inflammatories when pregnant is in the early days when the heart is forming. If you are 23 weeks, you are long passed this. 150mg is regularly taken in pregnancy by woman with pre-eclampsia.

Will you be having Doppler scans done from 24 weeks? These will give an indication of how “sticky” your blood is, whatever your platelet count, and whether your platelets are affecting the blood flow to bump.

Like all things ET related, pregnancy is treated differently all across the world. The important thing is that you are healthy and bump is growing as should be:

[yuna05]

Hi there! I am 20 weeks pregnant with ET. Currently my doctor has me taking 150 mg of Aspirin daily for ET and preeclampsia prophylaxis.

I was told the same as what the other posters described. It’s primarily for blood clot/thrombosis prevention.

[IrishSarah]

Congratulations on your pregnancy mustrabshra!

I’m 13weeks and have continued my 90mg daily aspirin, along with LMWH throughout.

Aspirin 100mg and under is low dose and considered safe in pregnancy. As others have described clotting risk comes from more than just platelets, and the various drugs/treatments used target different mechanisms that can contribute to clots forming.