Thromboembolism is the development of blood clots that clog blood vessels and have the potential to break free and travel to other blood vessels. The most common during pregnancy is the formation of blood clots in the lower limbs or the lungs. This is considered a leading cause of negative pregnancy outcomes and maternal death. The risk development of these blood clots formation increases by five folds in pregnant women compared to non-pregnant ones, and it even increases after delivery.
The symptoms depend on the location at which the blood clot was formed.
Lower limbs:
Swelling
Redness
Pain without being injured
Warm skin around the painful area
Red or dark skin around the painful
Lungs:
Difficulty in breathing
Chest pain that worsens with a deep breath or cough
Coughing up blood
Fast or irregular heartbeats
Go to the hospital to be treated if you have any of these symptoms and then follow up with your Gynaecologist after hospital discharge
Physiologic changes during pregnancy cause the blood to clot more easily, but many risk factors increase the chance for blood clot formation such as:
Personal history of thrombosis or blood clotting disorder
Family history of thrombosis or blood clotting disorder
Immobilization
Delivery by C-section
Complications of pregnancy and childbirth
Obesity
Smoking
Heart disease
Hypertension
Diabetes
Sickle cell disease
Blood transfusion
Compression ultrasound (an imaging technique to get a picture of the blood vessels).
Laboratory test (a specific substance called “D-dimer” is measured to detect the presence of blood clots).
Computed tomography venography (a contrast material is used during imaging of the blood vessels).
Magnetic resonance venography (a contrast material is used with a machine that uses magnetic fields to produce a picture of the blood vessels).
Medications can be used as a prophylaxis in patients who have a previous history of blood clots or blood clotting disorder or as a treatment when a blood clot happens suddenly.
Anticoagulants: Enoxaparin sodium, Dalteparin sodium, Tinzaparin sodium, and Heparin as they’re safe for the baby.
Antiplatelet: Acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin).
Other methods may be used to remove the blood clots according to the case.
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