Thrombosis During Pregnancy

Veins, also known as veins, carry blood from all parts of our body to our heart. In some cases, blood clots can form in these veins. This condition is called venous thrombosis.

The most common form of thrombosis during pregnancy is blood clots that occur in veins visible outside the skin, called deep veins. The most common sites are the back of the leg and the pelvic veins. If the clot becomes dislodged or breaks off, it can travel to the lungs, causing potentially fatal consequences.

Deep vein thrombosis is not a common condition during pregnancy. However, the likelihood of developing thrombosis is higher in pregnant women when compared to women of the same age group who are not pregnant. Thrombus formation can occur at any stage of pregnancy and up to the first 6 weeks after childbirth.

Can we detect if we have thrombosis ourselves?

If there is deep vein thrombosis in one leg, the following symptoms may be present:

• Often there is pain, tenderness, and swelling in one of your legs.
• Redness and a change in skin color can be observed.
• The skin in the area where the clot is located feels warm. There may be a difference in temperature.
• The veins in the affected leg may appear wider than usual.

However, it should be noted that swelling and a feeling of pain in the legs are normal during pregnancy. If you suspect thrombosis, you should definitely consult your doctor.

When is thrombosis dangerous?

If thrombosis in the leg is left untreated, pieces breaking off from this clot can affect the lungs, causing life-threatening pulmonary embolism (a condition where a clot travels to the lung vessels and disrupts lung blood flow). If you experience sudden onset shortness of breath, increased breath rate despite the feeling of air hunger, chest pain, coughing up blood, a feeling of fainting, and feeling detached, call an ambulance or go to the nearest emergency room.

Are you prone to blood clot formation?

Blood clot formation is a very rare condition. However, pregnant women are more prone to blood clot formation. During pregnancy, the risk of developing a clot is 10 times higher compared to non-pregnant women of the same age. The risk is higher in the later weeks of pregnancy and the first 3 weeks after childbirth.

There is a natural tendency for blood clotting during pregnancy. This is to aid the functioning of the placenta and to prevent excessive blood loss after childbirth. Blood returns from the legs to the heart more slowly during pregnancy. This is because pregnancy hormones and the growing uterus exert pressure on the blood vessels. During childbirth, the pressure from the baby on your pelvic veins can cause slight damage. This can lead to clot formation. However, the risk of thrombosis after pregnancy and childbirth is quite low. This risk occurs in 1 or 2 out of 1000 women.

Other factors that increase the risk are:

• History of deep vein thrombosis before pregnancy
• Presence of thrombophilia that increases the risk of blood clot formation
• Individuals with systemic diseases such as heart disease, lupus, and sickle cell anemia
• Women over 35 years old
• Smoking
• Women with a body mass index of over 30 before or early in pregnancy
• Women who have had 3 or more deliveries
• Women with a significant family history of blood clots
• Women using a wheelchair
• Multiple pregnancies are risk factors.

If during your pregnancy you were unable to get out of bed for more than 3 days, experienced signs of dehydration due to severe nausea and vomiting in the first three months, had more than 4 hours of travel, developed ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in pregnancies achieved through assisted reproductive techniques, had preeclampsia, had an intervention or a cesarean section during childbirth, experienced excessive bleeding during childbirth and received blood, the risk increases.

How can we prevent blood clot formation?

There are several steps you can take to reduce the risk of catching a blood clot in a vein:

• Quit smoking if you smoke.
• Consume plenty of fluids to reduce the risk of dehydration in your body.
• If you are overweight, control your weight through healthy eating.
• To increase blood circulation in your legs, engage in regular exercises such as swimming and walking.
• If you are going to be bedridden for a long time or on a long flight, wear compression stockings, and apply pressure to your legs and thighs to accelerate blood circulation.
• If you are in the high-risk group for clot formation, plan low molecular weight heparin treatment in consultation with your doctor. This treatment is quite safe for both you and your baby. Also, wear compression stockings every day.