Blood Clots During Pregnancy: Know Its Treatment
Blood clots during pregnancy are one of the most common occurrences. Pregnant women are 5 times more likely to develop blood clots in the veins around the legs including the pelvic area (known as deep vein thrombosis DVT) which sometimes could even lead to a risk to the health of both baby and the mother.
What Exactly Is Blood Clotting?
This medical condition refers to the collection of blood in a mass on a particular area which could lead to irritation and lead to the blockage of blood veins which is known as Deep vein thrombosis. This usually develops around the lower leg, pelvic area, and arm.
Observing blood clots is one of the most common occurrences amongst women especially pregnant women or post-pregnant women.
What Makes Pregnant Women More Prone To Blood Clots?
Pregnant women undergo a lot of hormonal changes which increases the pressure on veins and prevents blood flow. This leads to clotting of blood-forming a gelatinous mass on a particular region.
This clot could easily break through the lungs and lead to pulmonary embolism. In pregnancy, you may be less mobile and as the baby presses on the body, blood fails to reach up to the legs causing lumps.
It’s not just immobility that leads to blood clotting amongst pregnant women, it’s also the family history that plays a huge role in causing lumps. Having a medical history of high blood pressure, diabetes, sugar or even being overweight could also lead to clotting of blood.
If you are habituated to taking Birth control pills, you must recall your decision because these hormonal pills put you at a huge risk of getting blood clots. Having a family history of thrombophilia’s could make you more prone to blood clotting.
What Is Its Treatment?
It isn’t that hazardous as it may seem. It’s quite easily treatable. DVT is easy to detect and it’s necessary to see your gynaecologist as soon as you feel any such lumps. Once your gynaecologist diagnoses your condition, you will be referred to a blood-specialist, maternal specialist or even obstetrician.
To treat DVT, a blood-thinning agent low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) is injected into the body once or twice depending on the length of the clot.
This liquid is injected to prevent the clot from getting bigger. It also makes it easy for the clot to easily dissolve in the body and prevents any such future conditions from occurring.