Question on low dose/baby asprin

[adgal]

I don't get in to see my new OB until the 26th of this month (we just moved to Calgary).  I currently start taking prometrium right after ovulation.  For those of you that took baby asprin, I am wondering if you took it just after ovulation, or waited until you knew you were pregnant.  I ovulated this week, so I don't want to hold off taking it until I see her if I should be starting it right away.  My old OB wasn't very clear on the "when to start".  Also, I have read a bunch on the internet, and it seems to be safe, but does anyone know of any possible harm it can do, especially since I am taking it with prometrium?  As always, thanks for all and any responses.  Amanda

[SeeingSpots]

Yep, as Amanda said, it's to help loosen and thin cervical mucus (since Robitussin is an expectorant usually used to clear sinus mucus, but it also works "down below"! :))

Taking Clomid can make "hostile cervical mucus" which is actually too thick for the sperm to penetrate the cervix, thus preventing conception.

I feel like a walking drug store with all of the stuff I was (and am now) taking just to carry a baby to term.  My dh kids that his grandma doesn't even take as many pills and stuff as I do!

[adgal]

No problem, ask away.  I take Robitussin because of the clomid.  In 30% of women, clomid can cause problems with the fertile mucus your body naturally produces to help those swimmers.  Robitussin helps counter act that.  So I take 100mg a day, starting the last day I take the clomid.  I stop taking it as soon as I have ovulated. The key is to make sure it's the kind of Robitussin where the ONLY active ingredient is Guaifenesin.  The DM type isn't what you want.

I also use preseed.  It helps with the same problem (also a common problem with us "over 35ers').  

Crazy isn't it.  

[Miranda9]

I'm sorry for also posting a question within a question....but I'm really curious, Amanda, why you are taking Robitussin cough syrup?  

[LuvAbaby]

Thanks ladies! Very interesting, I will have to ask my dr. about these things, I need all the help I can get.

Good luck adgal!

[adgal]

Thanks again Seeing.  I am actually only taking 100mg of Robitussin a day...but it says you can take more if necessary.  I made sure I have the kind with only guaifenesin in it.  It was actually a bit tougher to find then the others... I have been taking it since CD 9 which was the last day of my clomid.  I'm CD 13 now.  I only learned about it this month, even though it was 3rd round of clomid.  I was put on clomid not because I don't ovulate, but to extend my luteal phase and also increase progesterone.  I am also using preseed, which also apparantly helps.  No alcohol or caffeine, as they can dehydrate you, and lots and lots of water.  Can you tell I am a trifle bit obsessed...lol.  But I will do just about anything to have this happen, so its all going to be worth it in the end!!  Thanks again for the info, its always appreciated.

[SeeingSpots]

you're welcome!  I imagine your dr prescribed such a high dose of Prometrium just to be super safe and give you a little more help with building up the lining.  I had to have my levels checked a few times, and for me the worst was always the scary time when he would wean me off of the Prometrium at 11 wks.  I kinda felt like it was my "Dumbo's magic feather", and that I'd immediately mc if he took my "magic pills" away from me.  

Did you take the Robitussin for the past 5 days or so? A friend of mine is also on Clomid and says you are suppose to take 2 tsp. of it 3x's a day.  (And to make sure that you pick a variety of the Robitussin with only guaifenesin in it- not all the other meds.)  I'm sure you know this, but also make sure you drink lots of water to help make a lot of happy mucous! :)  P.S. the Robitussin worked for my friend, btw... she now teases her son that he's a "big phlegm" whenever he's being difficult, since he was conceived on cough syrup! LOL

[adgal]

Don't use the progesterone supplement until after you have ovulated though.  And stop if you don't conceive and get AF.  If you get a BFP, its safe to keep using.  

Lots of luck to you!!

[SeeingSpots]

The baby aspirin is used to thin the blood and thus to help prevent tiny blood clots from forming in the placenta's tiny blood vessels, which would then basically starve the developing fetus and cause a miscarriage.  Progesterone is used to help build up the lining, and higher doses have also been shown to produce an immune-suppressing response in the uterus (which helps keep our bodies from rejecting the fetus, since it is 1/2 our dh's dna/chromosomes).  Unfortunately progesterone won't keep you from mc'ing if you are indeed going to do so... it may just delay it for a bit.  

It's definitely worth a shot to ask your dr about taking the baby aspirin.  It's been used for many years and is considered completely safe to take and thus worth a try.  You can also ask your dr about the progesterone while ttc.  My dr had me on the aspirin full time and then I'd take the Prometrium from when I o'd up until I either got AF or got my bfp.

[LuvAbaby]

I think I am posting a question inside of a question, I hope you don't mind...What is the baby asprin for? I see someone talked about clotting and someone else about lining. I have had an ectopic preg. and a chemical preg.  Both times my HCG and progesterone were very low. I don't know, is this something I should try, should I just ask my dr, could it hurt? Also, I have prog. suppl. left, should I use that while ttc? Let me know if you have any thoughts. I just don't want to do anything that will hurt my chances. Thanks.

[adgal]

Thank you thank you thank you.  I will start taking the baby asprin again today.  I must have confused it with the prometrium, that one I know for sure to take after o.  The information you gave me is extremely helpful, and I appreciate you taking the time to write all that out.   I actually take prometrium 3X100/day.  I wonder why he prescribed such a high dose.  I also take it orally.  

I am not quite in the 2WW yet.  I should ovulate in the next day or two, in fact I would expect to get a positive on my opk tomorrow...I'm usually pretty consistent.  This month I added Robistussin as I take clomid, so read a lot about hostile mucus.  I also use preseed.  What a production...lol.  But worth every second of it!!

Thanks so much again.

[SeeingSpots]

Hi Amanda,
My dr is one of the ones that is part of a study about low dose baby aspirin and preventing recurrent mc's.  He says you need to take it all the time until you are 32 wks, as by the time you realize and get your bfp it may already be too late (there may already be minute blood clots formed in the placenta which won't go away and may ultimately lead to mc); only stopping at the 32 wks because of a slightly higher risk for uncontrolled bleeding during labor.  I had testing done after my 2nd mc and it came back with me passing the anticardiolipin antibodies test- but barely, so my dr said that it wouldn't hurt to try the baby aspirin anyway.  I guess they are also testing it especially for women who have been on birth control for more than 5 yrs, as there's a theory that the yrs of bc may have somehow caused a reduction in the blood flow/supply to the uterus.  Therefore, even a small amount of clotting can make a huge difference in supporting a fetus or not.

Yes, you are only suppose to take Prometrium after ovulation and up until you get your AF, or ongoing once you get your bfp.  And no, there's no problem taking it along with the baby aspirin (or prenatals, extra calcium and folic acid).  I was told though to take mine (oral) twice a day instead of just one dose (100mg 2x's), since it keeps your levels more regulated instead of such an up and down.  Made me very sleepy!

So you're in the two week wait?  Aww... wouldn't it be great if you got your bfp and were pg by Christmas!?!  I'll keep my fingers crossed for you! :)

[adgal]

Thanks so much.  I must have completely misunderstood as I have only been taking it after O, until AF showed.  I will take it daily now.  Appreciate the info!!!

[babyprayers]

hi amanda,
I took 81mg of baby aspirin all while attempting IUI and during IVF. it is very low dose,and improves blood flow keeping things moving and free from clots, it is perfectly safe to take before and after O.

[adgal]

So you even took it before ovulation.  I didn't know that.  Did you take the suppostitories before ovulation as well?  I thought I was only supposed to take the prometrium after ovulation.  I am so confused with all of this, my old Dr. didn't explain this very well.

Thanks meli.

[melimeli]

I took it all the time.. everyday.. it was to build up the lining... I also took progesterone suppositories