Blood clots are a normal process in the body that stops bleeding after an injury. But sometimes, they can also occur even when they're not needed.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), women are at higher risk for a blood clot during pregnancy, childbirth, and up to 3 months after delivering a baby.
During early pregnancy, or the first trimester, an individual may experience light spotting or tiny amounts of blood clotting, which are usually normal. However, large blood clots or small masses accompanied by pain must be immediately addressed. Speaking with the OnlyMyHealth team, Dr Rushali Jadhav, Consultant OBGY, Manipal Hospital, Kharadi, Pune, discussed the common causes and shared steps to take in such circumstances.
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Common Causes
The CDC suggests that pregnant women are five times more likely to experience a blood clot compared with women who are not pregnant.
This is attributed to increased blood volume, altered blood flow dynamics, and hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy, said Dr Jadhav.
Sharing some of the common causes associated with blood clotting in pregnant women, she listed:
Hypercoagulability: Physiological changes caused by pregnancy, such as higher clotting factor levels and decreased fibrinolysis, a normal process that prevents blood clots from growing, raise the risk of blood clot formation.
Venous Stasis: Pregnant women may be at risk for Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) because of the reduced circulation in the legs put on by the pressure of their developing uterus.
Venous Compression: When the uterus grows, it can compress the pelvic veins, which can prevent blood flow and cause clots to form.
Physical inactivity: Long periods of inactivity, including extended flights or bed rest, can increase the risk of blood clot formation.
Advanced Maternal Age: Due to age-related changes in blood vessels and clotting factors, older mothers are said to have an increased risk of blood clots during pregnancy.
Multiple Gestation: Due to increased blood vessel pressure and hormone levels, women carrying multiple foetuses are more likely to develop blood clots than those with a singleton pregnancy.
Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART): Ovarian stimulation medications and hormonal swings can raise the risk of blood clots during pregnancy in cases where certain fertility therapies, like In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF), can be used.
Blood Clots With And Without Pain In Early Pregnancy
According to Dr Jadhav, blood clots that are accompanied by pain could be a sign of a more serious condition, such as DVT, which requires immediate medical attention. In the affected leg, DVT usually manifests as pain, swelling, warmth, and redness.
However, blood clots without pain may still pose a risk, particularly if they are asymptomatic, the doctor shared.
She added that these clots can remain undiagnosed until they lead to complications like Pulmonary Embolism (PE), a condition in which the clot enters the lungs and causes symptoms including coughing, shortness of breath, and chest pain.
In less severe cases, blood clots without pain could also be a result of implantation bleeding, cervical changes, and other factors, such as sexual intercourse, a Pap smear, or a pelvic exam.
Also Read: Navigating Postpartum: Expert Helps Understand Your Body's Journey After Childbirth
Steps To Take
Pregnant women who experience severe leg pain, swelling, warmth, or redness, breathing difficulties, a fast heartbeat, chest pain, or blood in the cough should report these symptoms to a medical professional and receive immediate treatment.
Dr Jadhav recommended contacting your obstetrician to help you identify the existence and size of blood clots, depending on which they may prescribe diagnostic tests like venography, D-dimer assay, or ultrasound.
Treatment options may include intravenous therapy, compression stockings, anticoagulant drugs, lifestyle changes, or hospitalisation for close observation.
Additionally, you can reduce your risk of blood clots during pregnancy by implementing preventive measures such as wearing compression stockings, engaging in regular physical exercise, and consuming lots of water to stay hydrated.