Will stopping low-dose Aspirin at 34 weeks affect my baby?

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I can understand your concern.

You are 35 weeks now with APLA (antiphospholipid antibody) positivity. You were on Ecospirin (Aspirin) 150, and you stopped at 34 weeks. Usually, in APLA, we continue Aspirin till late third trimester, sometimes even up to delivery, depending on the individual risk, but many doctors stop it around 34 to 36 weeks to reduce bleeding risk during delivery.

So, stopping at 34 weeks is not unusual. The concern with APLA is more about clotting risk (placental blood flow issues, growth restriction, late pregnancy loss), not so much about direct harm from stopping Aspirin now. Since you are already 35 weeks, the baby is quite close to term. The main thing is close monitoring of the baby’s growth and blood flow in the placenta.

The probable causes:

• Your condition is APLA positive, so Aspirin was given to keep the placental blood flow smooth. Stopping now may slightly increase clotting risk, but many obstetricians do this at this stage.

Investigations to be done:

• Growth scan and Doppler for the baby’s blood flow.

• NST (non-stress test) and CTG (cardiotocography) for fetal well-being.

• Regular BP (blood pressure) and urine protein checks.

Differential diagnosis:

• Normal pregnancy with Aspirin stopped.

• APLA-related placental insufficiency (needs monitoring).

• Other unrelated causes of fetal growth restriction.

Probable diagnosis:

• High-risk pregnancy with APLA positivity, 35 weeks.

Treatment plan:

• At this point, no need to panic. Continue your other medicines.

• Keep strict follow-up with your obstetrician.

• Sometimes low-molecular-weight heparin is advised in APLA, but since you are not on it, just make sure your doctor is aware.

• It is important to have regular baby monitoring now until delivery. If reduced baby movements, pain, bleeding, or fluid leakage occur, report immediately.

• Delivery may be planned around 37 to 38 weeks if all is stable.

Regarding follow-up:

• You should update me or your doctor with your latest growth scan and Doppler reports, and also about the baby’s movement pattern.

• Please follow up closely because in APLA pregnancies, we sometimes decide on delivery earlier depending on reports.

Preventive measures:

• Count baby movements daily.

• Maintain hydration, avoid long sitting or lying still.

• Keep antenatal check-ups tight now.

I hope this information will help you.

Kindly follow up if you have more concerns.

Thank you.