How to Prevent Blood Clots in Pregnancy

Pregnancy is one of the most desirable states of every woman, and all need to take proper precautionary measures during the pregnancy period. Several health hazards can occur during this phase, and women need to be always under a doctor’s guidance. Women can suffer from high blood pressure, miscarriage, diabetes, infections etc, during this phase. Apart from those, some also suffer from DVT or blood clots in veins.

A Brief on DVT

DVT, also known as Deep Vein Thrombosis, in when blood forms a clot in the deep veins in the body. This blood clot mainly occurs in the legs; sometimes, this can also occur in the arms. Many times this problem remains underdiagnosed, and slowly, this situation can lead to other health issues. If blood clots during the pregnancy period cannot get diagnosed on time, women can suffer from pulmonary embolism.

Symptoms of Blood Clots

While a pregnant woman suffering from blood clots can face the following symptoms.

• Blood clot normally occurs in the veins of the leg, and hence swelling in the legs is common. Normally you can notice swelling in one leg. Swelling in both legs hardly occurs.

• Women can feel pain in the affected legs.

• The skin on the affected legs will become discoloured.

• Sometimes, you will feel the skin.

This blood clot situation can enhance pulmonary embolism, and then they can feel health hazards like

• Sudden shortness of death

• People can suffer from chest pain or sudden discomfort while you take breathe or cough

• Women can also suffer from dizziness or fainting

• The pulse rate can become higher

Causes of Blood Clots During Pregnancy

During the pregnancy phase, women need to undergo several medical treatments, and blood clots can occur due to these medical treatments.

• Pregnant women can suffer from this problem if the health problem is inherited.

• Paralysis can develop a blood clot.

• An obsessed or over-weighted woman can suffer from a blood clot.

• Women who consume birth control pills regularly and have undergone any hormone replacement therapy can develop this problem.

• It has also been noticed that certain cancer treatments can also cause a blood clot.

Pregnant women can suffer from this blood clot due to the above causes. Again, anyone who has a family history of DVT, can suffer from this health problem.

Diagnosis of DVT or Blood Clots During Pregnancy

Anyone can suffer from blood clots due to several health problems, but pregnant women are at risk of suffering from blood clots. It has been noticed that pregnant women, after 3 months of delivery.

Whenever a woman notices the symptoms like swelling in the legs, etc, it is necessary to consult with professionals to get the best remedies. The healthcare providers will recommend an Ultrasound scan of the leg. Blood clots can also get develops in the veins of the arms, and hence doctors often suggest for V/Q scan.

Treatment of Blood Clots During Pregnancy

Blood clot seems to be one of the most critical health condition during pregnancy. Here all patients need proper treatment so that they cannot suffer from any health hazards afterwards. The treatment for blood clots during pregnancy is quite similar to the treatments done in general blood clot situations.

Once doctors diagnose Blood clots during pregnancy, they can recommend some treatment options. The first treatment that doctors normally suggest is applying blood thinning injections. It will help to reduce the clot size, and the clot will get dissolved in the body. These blood-thinning medicines will help in lowering the chances of further blood clots.

Does this Treatment Affect the Baby?

Women suffering from DVT are often curious to know whether this problem affects their babies or not. DVT generally does not affect the baby unless the situation worsens. Doctors will recommend stopping taking injections depending on the level of the anticoagulation regimen in a pregnant woman.

Complications of Untreated Blood Clots

If DVT is left untreated, it can develop some lasting health issues. Suffering from blood clots can lead to several health problems.

• Pulmonary Embolism − Blood clots can arise in the pulmonary artery within any one of the lungs, which is known as pulmonary embolism. This problem can supply low oxygen in the blood and damage the lungs & heart.

• Kidney damage − Blood clots can cause kidney ailments, and if left untreated, they can damage kidneys, also. Fluid can build up, and it can cause several health problems, including high blood pressure.

• Complications during pregnancy − Blood clots that raise due to pregnancy can usually develop in the veins of the pelvis. This problem can develop risks like pulmonary emboli and will associate with other complications.

Some preventive measures include losing weight, quitting smoking, etc., to avoid unnecessary health hazards like blood clots.

Conclusion

Developing blood clots in the vein is always a serious health condition, but this condition can be treated with proper medications. People are suggested to consult with doctors to stay away from these health problems.