Pregnancy Signs & Symptoms, Week by Week Pregnancy Guide

The thromboembolic disorders refers to the clotting in blood vessels that further breaks free and travels to the blood stream to patch up with another vessel in the lung, kidney, leg or any such organ of the human body. Such disorders occurring in pregnant women cause death threats. The possible time of developing thromboembolic disorder for a pregnant lady is about six weeks post child delivery. The risks appear more in case of cesarean deliveries compared to normal child birth.

Rate of Death Occurring due to Thromboembolic Disorders During Pregnancy

The percentage of death during the first trimester is 62%. Post vaginal delivery postpartum deaths occur about 71% while 10% of postpartum deaths take place post-operative vaginal delivery.

Symptoms

The symptoms of thromboembolic disorder include swelling of the leg, pain and soreness. Sometimes the vein thrombosis caused in the pelvis does not show any symptoms.

How to Diagnose for Thromboembolic Disorder?

Diagnosis of this disorder can be undertaken in two different ways as mentioned:

• Doppler ultrasonography: This type of diagnosis is followed to check for blood clots in the legs. A pregnant woman can be diagnosed by Doppler ultrasonography to check for blood clots if she faces any symptoms.
• Computed tomography: In case if pulmonary embolism is assumed, computed tomography can be done to be sure of the diagnosis. The process of computed tomography is undertaken by vaccinating a dye that flows through the blood vessels to highlight them. This entire process is called CT angiography.

Pulmonary angiography: This is an additional process that helps to determine tests if diagnosis of pulmonary embolism stands unreliable.

Ways to Treat Thromboembolic Disorders

• When a blood clot is identified, heparin treatment needs to be initiated. Heparin is an anticoagulant that is used to prevent blood clotting. The anticoagulant is injected into the vein or skin taking care not to cross the placenta and damage the fetus. It is necessary to continue the treatment for three to six months. There may be instances where your doctor may provide lower doses of heparin for six to eight weeks of childbirth in order to prevent fresh clots. The risk of blood clots remains high especially after child delivery.
• Warfarin consumption is another alternative for treating blood clots. It can be used instead of heparin in case of treating women beyond six to eight weeks after childbirth and also for breastfeeding mothers. Unlike heparin, warfarin can be taken by mouth.

Steps to Prevent Thromboembolic Disorders

• During the pregnancy period you should avoid being dehydrated.
• Pre-pregnancy counselling should be given to all pregnant women.
• In case you have been a victim of thromboembolic disorder previously, you should attain postpartum prophylaxis.
• If this disorder is persistent, you should cease to treat yourself with warfarin. Instead make use of low molecular weight heparin as soon as pregnancy is detected.
• Pregnant women with asymptomatic inherited are advised to be observed closely. They are to be considered for low molecular weight heparin at least seven days postpartum.

Having fair knowledge of the symptoms and causes, thromboembolic disorder can be well prevented or treated for in advance.