Aspirin Delays Premature Labor

A low dose of aspirin can prevent premature labor in pregnant women at risk for high blood pressure, according to a study presented in September at the American Heart Association?s 56th annual High Blood Pressure Research Conference.

The aspirin therapy only worked if given at night and only when started before the 16th week of pregnancy. The therapy resulted in reductions in gestational high blood pressure and in complications related to preeclampsia.

Women receiving the aspirin therapy also gave birth to babies an average of 9 ounces heavier than women who took a placebo or who took aspirin at different times of the day.