Pulmonary Embolism
One of the dangers of blood clots is that they can lead to other conditions in the long-term if not effectively treated including pulmonary embolism, which can lead to heart failure. Pulmonary embolism occurs when the blood clot blocks vessels in the lungs and makes breathing difficult. It is estimated that around 10% of untreated DVT cases leads to this serious condition. A significant proportion, up to 40% of DVT sufferers, also develop post-thrombotic syndrome in later life, which diverts flow from the clotted veins and heaps added pressure on veins elsewhere. Severe cases of this condition can result in ulcers but calf pain and swelling are more common symptoms.
How to treat and prevent DVT while keeping you and your baby safe?
Eddie Chaloner, a London-based leading specialist in vascular surgery, explains that the most common treatment for pregnant women suffering from DVT is a course of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) anticoagulation medicine. If you start taking this medication during your pregnancy, then you will need to continue to take anticoagulation medicine for at least six months after giving birth.
Mothers who wish to breastfeed their baby will have to switch to warfarin, another anticoagulation treatment that is available in tablet form so it will not cause your baby’s blood to thin. LMWH treatments will have a minimal impact on your pregnancy as they do not require an overnight stay in hospital and, most importantly, will not harm your baby in any way. This medication tackles your current clot by helping it to dissolve into the bloodstream while also reducing the chances of you developing another. The treatment will be stopped as soon as you enter labor, or 24 hours before induced labor, so there will be no disruption to your pregnancy schedule.
Keeping active while pregnant is a simple and effective way of reducing the risks of blood clots. There are plenty of simple and safe exercises that are suitable for pregnant women, including hamstring stretches, ankle rotations and leg extensions, which aid healthy blood flow and minimize the chances of developing blood clots such as DVT, keeping you and your baby safe during and after pregnancy.
| Table of Contents |
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| 1. Deep Vein Thrombosis |
| 2. Deep Vein Thrombosis1 |
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