Blood Clots- why you're at a higher risk during pregnancy!
If you're pregnant or just had a baby, you are at a higher risk for DVT or Deep Vein Thrombosis (blood clots that forms deep in the veins of your legs or pelvic area) due to the hormonal changes of a woman's body during pregnancy, reduced blood flow of the legs because of the fetus pressing on veins, injury of veins during delivery, inactivity due to recovery after delivery.
Blood Clots (coagulation) are beneficial when they form to plug bleeding from an injury or cut. But when blood clots form in your veins during the circulatory process of transporting oxygenated blood through out your body, it can be very dangerous (especially during pregnancy) and can cause many various effects to your unborn child.
Affects of Blood Clots during Pregnancies
Blood Clots can cause many issues during pregnancies, some are written below:
1. Blood clot can travel to your placenta and inhibit blood flow to your unborn baby. 2. Blood clot can travel to your heart and cause a heart attack 3. Blood clot can travel to your lungs (Pulmonary Embolism). Pulmonary Embolism can cause create low oxygen levels that will damage your organs and even cause death 4. Placenta insufficiency that can cause baby to not get enough food or oxygen My Experience...
I've never realized the danger of blood clots and the impact it can create on your body, until I experience blood clots in both my pregnancies. I was first diagnosed with a Pulmonary Embolism (Blood clot in the lung) with Ayden. After this experience, I was at a higher risk of getting another blood clot with my second pregnancy. I consulted with my Hematologist (Doctor specializing in blood diseases) and Perinatologist (obstetrics specializing in high risk pregnancies) even before trying to get pregnant, so that they can create a treatment plan to lessen my risk. Unfortunately, my second pregnancy still caused me to have another Pulmonary Embolism at the 5th month of my pregnancy and required bed rest and increased dosage of lovenox injections.
The blood clot caused me to have Placenta Insufficiency, causing my pre-eclampsia, causing my placenta to rupture, causing pre-mature birth. Baby Seth was born at 30 weeks and stayed in the NICU for over 2 months. Symptoms I experienced with Pulmonary Embolism
1. Shortness of Breath
2. Irregular Heartbeat 3. Fast Heartbeat 4. Chest Pain Symptoms of DVTs (Deep Vein Thrombosis)Decrease your risk with Blood Clots
1. Keep moving!
Just because your pregnant, doesn't mean you need to stay stagnant. Stay active and keep moving. Take walks and ensure that your blood is circulating. 2. Keep Hydrated! Drinking lots of water and staying hydrated will prevent your blood from getting to thick 3. Decrease travel or move around during travel I was not allowed to fly or do long drives when I was pregnant with Seth. Staying motionless for a long period of time can increase your risk of DVT. If you do travel, walk around every hour to keep your circulation 4. Wear compression stockings Compression stockings can improve circulation and help prevent swelling on your legs. Wear compression stockings to help prevent DVTs. See your Doctor
DVTs are life threatening to both you and your unborn child. I want everyone to understand the increased risk of blood clots during pregnancy, not only because I experienced it myself, but because I've witnessed people die from blood clots during pregnancies. Visit your doctor for your regular OB visits and advise them if you have symptoms of DVTs.
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AuthorMom to two boys! 8 years in the Plastic Surgery industry. Join my journey as I tackle this mom life! Archives
August 2019
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