BLOOD CLOTS DURING PREGNANCY: KNOW ITS TREATMENT

Blood Clots During Pregnancy

Blood clots are gelatinous masses formed by the clumping of blood. The formation of blood clots during pregnancy increases as the body tries to prevent excessive blood loss during delivery. The blood clots occurring during pregnancy can lead to some serious complications

Blood clots in pregnancy occur most commonly in the deep veins in the legs. The formation of these blood clots in leg veins is also known as deep vein thrombosis. The blood clots from these veins can break down and travel to other body parts. These clots most commonly affect the lungs. The lodgment of blood clots in the lungs is known as pulmonary embolism. It can cause blockage in the lungs and lead to serious medical complications.

Pulmonary embolisms are the most common cause of maternal death. The risk of developing pulmonary embolism is five times higher in pregnant women and persists even after six weeks of delivery. The risk of developing pulmonary embolism is double in cases of caesarian section.

Symptoms of Deep Vein Thrombosis in Pregnancy

• Pain and tenderness in calf and thighs. 

• Swelling on the thigh area, especially if it is more on one side.

• Blood clots in the heart or lungs in the form of pulmonary embolism can cause shortness of breath and pain in the chest.

• Warm and tender skin

• Blood in sputum

• Increased heartbeat

Factors that Increase Chances of Blood Clotting During Pregnancy

• Hypercoagulable blood: Increasing the concentration of proteins in blood during pregnancy increases its viscosity. Increased viscosity increases the chances of blood clot formation in the body.

• Increased pressure: Enlargement of the uterus during pregnancy increases the pressure on veins of the lower abdomen. It increases the chances of blood clot formation in the body.

• Increased levels of estrogen: Estrogen levels in pregnancy increase multiple folds and increase the chances of blood clots.

• Multifetal pregnancy

• Prolonged sitting and restricted movement

• Family history of blood clots

• Obesity

• Increased maternal age

Blood Clots During First Trimester

• The most common cause of early pregnancy clots is implantation. The implantation of the fertilized egg in the uterus lining causes the breakdown of blood vessels, leading to clot formation.

• Miscarriage at the early stages of pregnancy is also a common cause of blood clots formation. During a miscarriage, one can pass blood clots of variable sizes for a few days.

• In 2% of pregnancies, the fertilized egg does not implant in the uterine wall and gets implanted outside the uterus, most commonly in the fallopian tube. It is known as ectopic pregnancy and leads to rupture of the fallopian tube and clot formation in the body. Chances of pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis also increase during an ectopic pregnancy.

• Molar pregnancy is a rare condition in which the patient is not pregnant, but there is an abnormal tissue growth in the uterus. It causes growth of the uterus and rupture of blood vessels, leading to clot formation.

• Infection in the cervical region or vagina is common during pregnancy. It causes bleeding, increasing the chances of blood clot formation.

• During pregnancy, the blood flow in the cervical region increases considerably. It increases the chances of vaginal bleeding and blood clot discharge during the first trimester of pregnancy.

There are various other causes for vaginal passage of blood clots that need to be diagnosed by a gynecologist for further analysis.

Blood Clots During Second and Third Trimester

• During the second and third trimesters, the vaginal passage of clots might be due to miscarriage at later stages.

• During premature labor, the mucus plug on the opening of the uterus gets disrupted. This mucus plug can also contain blood as there is a rupture of blood vessels in the vagina to prepare the body for delivery.

• Placenta previa is a rare condition associated with the vaginal passing of blood clots during pregnancy. In placenta previa, the placenta is attached to the lower parts of the uterus. It causes the passage of bright red blood with blood clots after the 20th week of pregnancy.

• Placental abruption occurs due to detachment of the placenta from the uterine wall. The detachment causes the pooling of blood between the placenta and uterine wall. It also leads to the formation of blood clots.

• Due to increasing pressure on the abdominal wall during pregnancy, the chances of breakdown of scar from a previous C section can lead to the formation of a blood clot.

Preventive Measures For Blood Clots During Pregnancy

• Keeping your body well hydrated: Drinking more water during pregnancy can control the increasing viscosity of blood due to the increased concentration of proteins. It decreases the chances of blood clot formation.

• Doing regular exercise: A sedentary lifestyle and lack of exercise during pregnancy can affect the blood flow and increase the risk of clot formation. It also increases the risk of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Hence, one should do regular exercise. Move your legs while sitting. In cases where movement is restricted due to pregnancy-related complications, your gynecologist might prescribe blood thinners as a preventive measure.

• Wearing compression socks: Compression socks increase the blood circulation in the legs and decrease the risk of deep vein thrombosis.

• Avoid smoking: Smoking can disrupt the inner lining of blood vessels. It also damages platelets and increases the chances of clot formation. Hence, quitting smoking can decrease the chances of blood clot formation considerably.

Treatment of Blood Clots During Pregnancy

Blood clots during pregnancy can be treated using anticoagulants. Some of the anticoagulants like heparin and low molecular weight heparin are safe for babies and can be used during pregnancy.

The benefits of using anticoagulants to treat blood clots during pregnancy are as follows:

• Decrease the chances of serious complications like pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis.

• They do not let the clot increase in size.

• The anticoagulants also act by dissolving the clots and preventing the formation of new clots.

Always undergo regular tests to ensure the clots have dissolved with the formation of no new clot.

Wrapping up

Blood clots during pregnancy can be a part of a normal physiological process. In case the blood clots are due to underlying anatomical or biological conditions, you might require treatment for these blood clots. Consult your doctor, and you can get prescribed medications from wellness forever.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What happens if you pass dark red blood clots in early pregnancy?

Passing dark red blood clots during pregnancy is considered a sign of potential miscarriage. If these clots are associated with cramps, you should consult your doctor immediately.

2. How are blood clots in pregnancy treated?

Blood clots in pregnancy can be treated using anticoagulants that are safe to use during pregnancy. Moreover, preventive measures like compression socks, exercise, and drinking more liquids can also be beneficial.

3. Can blood clots cause miscarriage?

Blood clots do not affect the baby until there is an overlying medical complication. In rare cases, blood clots can transfer to the placenta. It can cut the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the fetus. It affects fetal growth and can also lead to miscarriage.

4. What are the signs of blood clotting?

The most common signs of blood clotting include swelling in the area, redness, and tenderness. The skin around the clot feels warm. These symptoms are likely to be presented on one side of the limb.

5. What is the cause of blood clots in pregnancy?

Blood clots in pregnancy are formed due to hormonal changes, increased pressure of the uterus on veins, and increased blood viscosity.