Thrombophilias are a group of health conditions that increase a patient's chances of developing abnormal blood clots. If you have a form of thrombophilia, the professionals at Arizona Associates for Reproductive Health can provide options to help ensure a safe, complication-free pregnancy.
To learn more about our expertise assisting patients experiencing blood clots during pregnancy, contact our Scottsdale, AZ or Gilbert, AZ practice location today and schedule your consultation.
Blood clotting refers to the clumping of proteins that naturally occurs to stop bleeding after a cut or scrape. However, when the body makes too much or too little of certain proteins that form blood clots, this can lead to thrombophilia. Blood clot disorders can be caused by genetic abnormalities or acquired through another medical condition. A relatively common condition, thrombophilias affect about 20 percent of Americans.
Thrombophilia often occurs without symptoms until another health condition related to clotting arises. A thrombosis, or a blood clot that forms in a blood vessel and blocks the flow of blood, is often a first symptom of thrombophilia. Two main types of thromboses are:
Patients with thrombophilia can also suffer from an embolism, which is the sudden blocking of an artery. A pulmonary embolism (PE) occurs when a clot occurs in one or more arteries of the lung, and it is a very serious and potentially fatal condition. Signs of PE include chest pain, difficulty breathing, feeling anxious, fainting, coughing blood, and a fast or irregular heartbeat.
Thrombophilia can also cause venous thromboembolisms (VTE). This occurs when a blood clot travels through the blood stream to a major organ. If the VTE blocks blood vessels in the heart or brain, it can lead to a heart attack or stroke. Need help identifying the symptoms of blood clots during pregnancy? Set up a free consultation with us at AZARH.
Patients may be at risk for developing thrombophilia during pregnancy if they:
A pregnant woman with thrombophilia will require more frequent prenatal care appointments. At these visits, your health care professional will check your blood pressure and blood work. Ultrasounds, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and fetal heart rate monitoring may also be used to monitor the health of you and your baby.
Treatment plans for thrombophilia during pregnancy will depend on the type of thrombophilia the patient has, as well as their personal and family history of clotting. Very often, treatment will include blood thinners. These medications inhibit the formation of clots and help to prevent new clots from forming. Aspirin and heparin are two types of blood thinners that are frequently prescribed to pregnant women with blood clots or those who are at risk of developing them. Following pregnancy, some women will continue to take heparin, while others may be given a prescription for warfarin. Warfarin is not taken for blood clots during pregnancy since it is linked to birth defects, but it is safe to take after giving birth. Contact AZARH to learn more about your treatment options for pregnancy and blood clots.
The doctors and staff at Arizona Associates for Reproductive Health have the experience to guide women with blood clotting disorders throughout each stage of pregnancy and ensure a safe live birth.
To find out how we can reduce risks associated with blood clots and pregnancy, contact us today.
