During pregnancy, some of the pregnancy complications that expectant mothers are often aware of are usually gestational diabetes and preeclampsia. But there is another pregnancy complication that is relatively common and important to keep an eye out for. The reason is that these complications can lead to serious consequences, namely blood clots.
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT o Deep vain thrombosis) is a blood clot that occurs in deep veins.
Significantly, this condition is more common in pregnant women and can lead to a more serious condition known as pulmonary embolism (PE).
Fortunately, deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism are treatable and even preventable among pregnant women who are most at risk. Most expectant mothers with blood clotting conditions can have healthy pregnancies and deliveries.
popmama.com summarized the information you need to know deep vein thrombosis during pregnancy, causes and complications.
What is deep vein thrombosis?
Deep vein thrombosis is a blood clot in one or more deep veins. During pregnancy, up to 90% of deep vein thromboses occur in the left leg.
Early treatment can prevent a clot from breaking off and traveling through the circulatory system to the lungs (called a pulmonary embolism or PE) which can be life-threatening.
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Symptoms of deep vein thrombosis during pregnancy
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The most common symptoms of deep vein thrombosis during pregnancy usually occur in only one leg, such as:
- feeling heavy or aching in the leg (many people say it feels like a pulled muscle that goes away),
- tender calves and thighs, rosy and warm,
- mild to severe swelling.
If blood clots travel to your lungs and you have a pulmonary embolism, symptoms include:
- chest pain that gets worse when you take a deep breath or cough
- unexplained shortness of breath,
- coughing up blood,
- fast or irregular heartbeat.
Why is deep vein thrombosis more common during pregnancy?
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Deep vein thrombosis may be more common during pregnancy because it is the body’s way of limiting bleeding during delivery. The body tends to increase blood clotting ability around birth, sometimes so much that it causes deep vein thrombosis.
During pregnancy, blood clotting protein levels rise, while anti-clotting protein levels drop. Other factors that can contribute to deep vein thrombosis during pregnancy can include an enlarged uterus. This condition increases the pressure on the veins that return blood to the heart from the lower body, as well as due to lack of movement bed rest.
Mom will experience this condition more easily if:
- have a family or previous history of this condition,
- suffer from thrombophilia (an inherited blood clotting disorder),
- overweight or obese,
- to smoke,
- required to bed rest,
- suffer from preeclampsia or certain chronic diseases including high blood pressure, diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease or other blood vessel diseases.
Can deep vein thrombosis be prevented?
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Be sure to tell your doctor if you have a blood clotting disorder or if blood clots run in your family. You should also watch for signs of blood clots, because early treatment can reduce the risk of complications such as pulmonary embolism.
Mom can help prevent clots and deep vein thrombosis by maintaining blood flow by:
- play sports safe for pregnancy with the knowledge of a doctor,
- walking and stretching if mom has been sitting for more than two to three hours,
- move your feet while sitting (raise and lower the heels and then the toes),
- take extra precautions while traveling, including drinking plenty of water, getting up frequently to walk (or stretching your legs from a seated position).
Can deep vein thrombosis affect the fetus?
Deep vein thrombosis is a type of venous thromboembolism (VTE), the term for a blood clot in any vein. VTE is associated with preeclampsia. Many pregnant women with preeclampsia have healthy pregnancies and give birth to healthy babies. However, if left untreated, preeclampsia can cause complications during pregnancy.
About 15-20% of all deep vein thrombosis cases are related to antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS), an autoimmune disease that increases the risk of blood clots. APS is associated with an increased risk of recurrent miscarriage, blood clots in the placenta, placental insufficiency (when the placenta is less efficient at delivering food and oxygen to the baby), IUGR, and heart attacks and strokes in the mother.
Tell your doctor if you have had blood clots in the past or recurring miscarriages. Your doctor may do a blood test to check for APS.
When to see a doctor?
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If you or your biological family are diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis, tell your doctor. Your doctor may do blood tests to see if you have thrombophilia, which increases your risk of blood clots.
If you have thrombophilia, your doctor may prescribe blood thinners for your safety and that of your fetus.
Also, if you notice any of the above symptoms (especially during pregnancy or in the first eight weeks after giving birth), contact your doctor immediately. Mom will run a series of tests to check for deep vein thrombosis.
If you find that you have a blood clot, you may be treated with blood-thinning medications to reduce the blood’s ability to clot and prevent further clotting. In addition, the mother’s condition will continue to be monitored even during pregnancy.
Well, that’s an explanation on deep vein thrombosis during pregnancy, causes and complications. Have you ever experienced this condition?
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