Low Dose Aspirin and Fetal Growth Restriction

Fetal growth restriction means the baby is smaller than expected or is not growing as expected, sometimes because the placenta is not delivering enough oxygen and nutrients. Aspirin may be recommended before problems develop when a pregnant person has particular risk factors for placental complications. It is not a way to make a baby grow faster once growth restriction has been identified.

Take aspirin only if your maternity clinician prescribed or specifically recommended it, using the stated strength and schedule. Do not start, stop or change it without advice, especially if you have bleeding, an allergy, stomach ulcer, a bleeding disorder or use other medicines that affect clotting. Monitoring may include growth scans, blood pressure checks, urine tests and fetal heart monitoring.

Seek urgent advice for vaginal bleeding, severe headache, visual changes, sudden swelling, upper abdominal pain, reduced fetal movement, leaking fluid or regular contractions. These symptoms can signal a pregnancy complication and should be assessed whether or not you take aspirin.

Ask why aspirin is recommended for you, when it should begin and stop, what to do after a missed dose, and how growth and placental function will be monitored. Ask which bleeding symptoms require immediate review.