Asked and Answered: All About Thrombophilia & Pregnancy

December 3, 2020

Thrombophilia. A word as weighty as its meaning. If you haven’t heard of the term before, allow us to fill you in.

Do you want to know the  "Estimated date of when your baby is due?"  Check out Cloudnine's Pregnancy Due Date Calculator now!

Q1. What is thrombophilia?

Thrombophilia is a blood condition that increases the body’s tendency to develop clots. Clotting is the body’s natural response to a cut, gash or tear – a way of preventing excessive blood loss. Thrombophilia accelerates this clotting mechanism.

Q2. Is thrombophilia hereditary?

Thrombophilia can be acquired or inherited, and can be a serious risk to pregnancy. The most common inherited conditions during pregnancy are mutations in factor V Leiden, the prothrombin gene, and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase.

Q3. What are the signs and symptoms of thrombophilia?

Thrombophilia doesn’t present any outwardly symptoms. Its first visible manifestation is usually a blood clot. A clot, depending on where it is, can give rise to secondary symptoms. For example, a blood clot in the legs can lead to swelling; one in the lungs can cause difficulty breathing. If you have had a history of any of these, it’s wise to have thrombophilia ruled out. If you have previously been diagnosed with the condition or have a blood relative with it, share this information with your doctor to discuss the best way forward.

Q4. What is the effect of thrombophilia on pregnancy?

Left untreated, thrombophilia can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, growth restriction, placental dysfunction, preeclampsia, preterm labour and low birth weight. An early treatment plan can minimise risks for you and your baby during pregnancy.

Free Pregnancy Counselling

Q5. How is thrombophilia treated?

Treatment for thrombophilia pivots on various factors, such as the type of thrombophilia, past clots, and related medical conditions. Usually, a blood thinner, with or without other medications, is prescribed. A low-molecular weight heparin is also considered an effective anticoagulant.

Q6. When should I be screened for thrombophilia?

If you’ve experienced recurrent miscarriages or stillbirth, or have previously delivered a low birth weight baby, don’t leave any future pregnancies to chance. Have yourself screened for thrombophilia. Being diagnosed is your first step to a healthy pregnancy. And your last, from repeated cycles of disappointment.

Want to consult the best gynecologists in India? Please find the links below.

  1. Best Gynecologists in Bangalore
  2. Top Gynecologists in Chennai
  3. Top Obstetricians & Gynecologists in Mumbai
  4. Top Gynecologists near me in Pune
  5. Best Obstetricians & Gynecologists in Chandigarh
  6. Top Obstetricians & Gynecologists near me in Gurgaon
  7. Best Gynecologists near me in Noida

 

Want to consult the best Maternity Packages in India? Please find the links below.

  1. Best Maternity Packages in Bangalore
  2. Top Maternity Packages in Chennai
  3. Best Maternity Packages with Cost in Mumbai
  4. Best Maternity/ Delivery Packages with Charges in Pune
  5. Top Maternity Packages with Cost in Chandigarh
  6. Top Maternity/ Delivery packages with Charges in Gurgaon
  7. Best Pregnancy Packages in Noida

Frequently Asked Questions

How does thrombophilia affect pregnancy?

Thrombophilia during pregnancy may lead to complications like DVT (deep vein thrombosis), where there is a blood clot in a deep vein. This causes tenderness, swelling and pain in the lower leg or calf. Another serious complication may be pulmonary embolism, where a blood clot breaks and blocks a lung artery. A pregnant woman is at a higher risk of miscarriage, low birth weight, stillbirth, preeclampsia and placental abruption due to thrombophilia.

Can thrombophilia cause early miscarriage?

Yes. Thrombophilia can cause early miscarriage due to abnormal blood clots affecting the placenta and depriving the fetus of nutrients and oxygen. Acquired thrombophilias like APS (antiphospholipid syndrome) were typically associated with miscarriages. However, inherited thrombophilia, like Factor V Leiden, also poses a high risk to pregnancy.

Why does pregnancy increase thrombosis?

Thrombosis is a condition where the body tends to develop blood clots easily. Pregnancy increases the risk of blood clots, as during this phase, the blood clots easily to reduce blood loss during delivery and labour. Also, pregnant women experience less blood flow to their legs as the growing baby pinches the blood vessels in the pelvis area.

How long can you live with thrombophilia?

"You can lead a long and healthy life with thrombophilia. However, various factors like, • Clotting history: If you have had previous clots, the risk of future clots is high • Thrombophilia type - Some types, like APS, carry a higher risk than others, like Factor V Leiden. • Risk factors like pregnancy complications, smoking, previous blood clots, and hormonal birth control increase risk. • Treatment and management influence the life expectancy of people with thrombophilia."

Get the right solution today

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Maternity
Gynaecology
Fertility
Neonatal Care
Paediatric Care
NICU
PICU
Radiology
Physiotherapy
Nutrition and Dietetics
Breastfeeding Support
Allied Services
Stem Cell Banking
Bengaluru
Chandigarh
Chennai
Faridabad
Ghaziabad
Gurugram
Hyderabad
Jalandhar
Lucknow
Ludhiana
Mumbai
New Delhi
Noida
Panchkula
Pune
//form validation// //form validation 2//