Hypercoagulability syndrome in pregnant women

The article was professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor II Bui Minh Phuc - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Ha Long International Hospital. Doctor has more than 18 years working in the field of obstetrics and gynecology.

Hypercoagulability syndrome is a group of diseases in which the blood clotting process occurs abnormally leading to the abnormal formation of blood clots in the blood vessels of the patient. Pregnant women with hypercoagulability syndrome, if left untreated, will affect the fetus.

Platelets (a type of blood cell) and plasma (which is the liquid part of blood) are involved in the process of stopping bleeding and forming blood clots when any part of the body is damaged. Normally, once the wound has healed, the clots will spontaneously fall off.
In some cases, blood clots form in the blood vessels even though the body is not injured. These blood clots usually won't go away on their own and they pose a health risk.

Hypercoagulability syndrome is not an inherited disease but develops and develops on its own, most commonly antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS).
APS is an autoimmune disorder. This syndrome is an antibody-mediated hypercoagulable state characterized by recurrent arterial or venous thrombosis. This is a pregnancy disorder with the presence of autoantibodies against phospholipid-binding plasma proteins.
In addition, the cause of increased blood clotting during pregnancy is also due to structural changes in some protein synthesis genes.

Hypercoagulability syndrome during pregnancy can cause a number of health problems for pregnant women and in severe cases can even be fatal for both mother and baby.

The following subjects will have a higher risk of developing thrombophilia during pregnancy:
Women who have had 3 to 5 miscarriages before the 10th week of unknown cause; or have had a miscarriage after the 10th week of pregnancy and the cause is unknown. Have had a preterm birth before 34 weeks of pregnancy due to eclampsia syndrome, severe preeclampsia or some other abnormality in the placenta Have ever had a blood clot during pregnancy For pregnant women who have had problems In this regard, it is necessary to see a doctor to be tested for the diagnosis of hypercoagulable syndrome. Early detection and timely treatment will help pregnant women have a good health during pregnancy and give birth to a healthy, normal baby.

If during pregnancy, pregnant women have a disease of the group of blood clotting disorders, also known as antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), will be at risk of experiencing the following complications During pregnancy:
Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR): This is a syndrome that restricts the growth of the fetus, so the baby will be born smaller than normal. Placental insufficiency: the placenta develops in the uterus, providing nutrients and oxygen to the fetus through the umbilical cord. If the placenta is weakened, it will not be able to perform its inherent functions, making the fetus not receive enough nutrients and lack of oxygen, extremely dangerous to the fetus. Preeclampsia: A syndrome that occurs after the 20th week of pregnancy or soon after the start of pregnancy, usually in women with high blood pressure that affects organs such as the liver and kidneys. cannot work as well as the average person. Other symptoms that can occur when a pregnant woman has hypercoagulability include proteinuria, vision changes, and severe headaches. Premature birth: When a baby is born between 22 weeks and before 37 weeks of pregnancy. Miscarriage: The fetus is expelled from the uterus before 22 weeks of gestation. Fetal death in utero.

The methods and drugs to treat hypercoagulability will depend on the existing hypercoagulable disease.
There are some women with hypercoagulability who are pregnant and need to be treated with anticoagulants. For example heparin. If you have antiphospholipid antibody syndrome and have had a miscarriage, your doctor may prescribe low-dose aspirin and heparin to prevent miscarriage.
In addition, some of the following methods are also used to check the health of the fetus:
Ultrasound: The doctor can use Doppler ultrasound to check the hemodynamics in the umbilical cord arteries. Monitor fetal heart rate: To make sure the fetus is still getting enough oxygen. After giving birth, your doctor will continue to treat you with heparin or another anticoagulant such as warfarin. Warfarin can be used safely after pregnancy, even while breastfeeding.
It is necessary to go to the doctor regularly and periodically to ensure the health of both mother and fetus.
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