Take it Easy, Baby: Low Dose Aspirin

What is preeclampsia?

Preeclampsia is a dangerous high-blood-pressure disorder that can happen during and immediately after pregnancy. When a pregnant person develops preeclampsia, it can damage different organs in their body and prevent oxygen from reaching their baby. When preeclampsia develops, it may require a mom to have an early delivery.¹ Starting a daily routine of low-dose aspirin between the 12th and 28th week of pregnancy can reduce your risk of developing this complication.²

How does low-dose aspirin work?

Low-dose aspirin (81 mg per day) can improve blood flow to your baby² and reduce inflammation of your placenta.³

How do I know if I should take low-dose aspirin?

All pregnant people should know that preeclampsia is a risk, and can talk to their doctor or midwife before 16 weeks of pregnancy. It is especially important to talk to your care team if this is your first pregnancy or if⁴:

• You have had preeclampsia before⁴

• You have a history of high blood pressure, diabetes, autoimmune disorders, or kidney disease⁴

• You are pregnant with twins or multiples⁴

• You have some combination of the following risks⁴:

  • You’re 35 or older
  • You have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or higher
  • It’s been ten or more years since you were last pregnant
  • You’re Black/African American*
  • You face financial stress*

*Due to inequity, some people may be at higher risk of preeclampsia, even without medical conditions.

What if I do Develop Preeclampsia?

If you develop preeclampsia, you may not have any signs or symptoms. If you do have signs, they may include:

• Headaches with no known cause

• Vision changes

• Nausea and/or vomiting

• Shortness of breath

• Swelling in your feet or other places

• Fluid in your lungs

Your doctor can diagnose preeclampsia by measuring your blood pressure and checking for protein in your urine.⁵ If you develop preeclampsia, you may need to deliver your baby early. Most people with preeclampsia deliver healthy babies and fully recover, but sometimes preeclampsia can be life-threatening or lead to long-term heart and brain effects for the mother and baby.⁶

For Providers

The Louisiana Low Dose Aspirin Learning Bundle is offered by NOHD and the March of Dimes as a free training program for healthcare professionals who care for pregnant individuals.

This learning bundle provides one credit of continuing education for nurses, pharmacists and physicians. It focuses on motivational interviewing to support the use of low-dose aspirin in Louisiana, as well as raising awareness of low-dose aspirin to reduce the negative impacts of preeclampsia.

Take the Course

The Big Picture

According to the March of Dimes, Black babies in Louisiana are 1.5 times as likely as white babies to die in their first year, mostly because they are born too early or too small. Health problems before pregnancy like high blood pressure or diabetes—make it more likely a baby will be very small (less than 3.3 pounds) or born early.⁷

High blood pressure problems during pregnancy, like preeclampsia, can be very dangerous for both the mother and baby. Taking a low dose of aspirin can be a safe way to lower the risk of preeclampsia.

You can learn more about preeclampsia and low-dose aspirin by visiting the March of Dimes’ Low Dose, Big Benefits™ campaign.

More Information about Blood Pressure and Pregnancy

High blood pressure affects many pregnant people today. With the right support and monitoring, you and your baby can stay healthy. Getting treatment for high blood pressure is important before, during and after pregnancy.⁸

Here’s how health professionals define blood pressure levels during pregnancy:

Blood Pressure Categories During Pregnancy

Blood Pressure Category	Systolic mm Hg (top/upper number)	and/or	Diastolic mm Hg (bottom/lower number)
Non-hypertensive	Less than 140	and	Less than 90
Hypertension in pregnancy*	140 or higher	or	90 or higher
Severe hypertension*	160 or higher	or	110 or higher
*If you have any of these symptoms, call 911: severe headache, change in vision, abdominal pain, chest pain, significant swelling or shortness of breath. Source: American Heart Association9

 

You don’t need to be a doctor to keep track of your blood pressure. Many people find it helpful to use a home blood pressure cuff to monitor changes during pregnancy.

Tips for checking at home¹⁰

• Sit quietly for a few minutes before taking your reading.

• Keep both feet flat on the floor and rest your arm at heart level.

• Place the cuff on the bare skin of your upper arm (not over clothing).

• Take two readings, one minute apart, and write them down.

• Share your readings with your health care provider at your next visit.

Blood Pressure Cuffs for Moms in New Orleans

Contact these locations to find a home blood pressure monitor:

One Happy Mama

Phone: 504.265.6889

Email: info@onehappymama.org

Website: https://www.onehappymama.org/

Labor and Love

Phone: 504.215.8510M

Email: info@laborandlove.org

Website: https://www.laborandlove.org/

Home blood pressure monitors in Kits for Moms are supported by the American Heart Association and the March of Dimes.

Additional Resources

Helpful links from the March of Dimes

• Low Dose Big Benefits™

• Preeclampsia

• High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy

Helpful Links from the American Heart Association

• Low-Dose Aspirin During Pregnancy Could Reduce Your Risk of Preeclampsia | Go Red for Women

• Preeclampsia and High Blood Pressure | Go Red for Women

• Blood Pressure and Pregnancy | Go Red for Women

• Pregnancy and Maternal Health Resources and Tools | Go Red for Women

Helpful Links from the Preeclampsia Foundation

• Ask About Aspirin

Take the Preeclampsia Survey

• Preeclampsia Survey

Content developed in partnership with the March of Dimes.

References

1. Preeclampsia Foundation. (n.d.). FAQs. Retrieved October 24, 2025, from https://www.preeclampsia.org/faqs
2. March of Dimes. (2024, July). Frequently asked questions about low-dose aspirin during pregnancy. Retrieved from https://www.marchofdimes.org/sites/default/files/2024-07/ISWM_Consumer_Education_FAQs_v1.pdf
3. UT Southwestern Medical Center. (2025, June 4). How low-dose aspirin can help prevent preeclampsia. Retrieved from https://utswmed.org/medblog/aspirin-preeclampsia/
4. March of Dimes. (n.d.). Low-dose aspirin to prevent preeclampsia and premature birth health action sheet. Retrieved from https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/27216/Low-dose-Aspirin-English-PDF
5. March of Dimes. (n.d.). Find support: Preeclampsia. Retrieved from https://www.marchofdimes.org/find-support/topics/pregnancy/preeclampsia
6. American Heart Association. (2025, June 11). Preeclampsia and high blood pressure. Go Red for Women. Retrieved October 24, 2025, from https://www.goredforwomen.org/en/know-your-risk/pregnancy-and-maternal-health/pregnancy-and-common-heart-conditions/preeclampsia-and-high-blood-pressure
7. March of Dimes. (n.d.). PeriStats Report Card — Louisiana. Retrieved from https://www.marchofdimes.org/peristats/reports/louisiana/report-card
8. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (n.d.). Preeclampsia and high blood pressure during pregnancy. Retrieved October 24, 2025, from https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/preeclampsia-and-high-blood-pressure-during-pregnancy
9. American Heart Association. (n.d.). Blood pressure and pregnancy. Go Red for Women. Retrieved October 24, 2025, from https://www.goredforwomen.org/en/know-your-risk/pregnancy-and-maternal-health/pregnancy-and-common-heart-conditions/blood-pressure-and-pregnancy 
10. American Heart Association. (n.d.). How to monitor your blood pressure at home. Retrieved October 24, 2025, from https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/understanding-blood-pressure-readings/monitoring-your-blood-pressure-at-home