{"id":7464,"date":"2020-01-31T09:00:15","date_gmt":"2020-01-31T14:00:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=7464"},"modified":"2026-05-05T12:02:32","modified_gmt":"2026-05-05T16:02:32","slug":"blood-clots-during-pregnancy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/blood-clots-during-pregnancy\/","title":{"rendered":"How to avoid blood clots during pregnancy"},"content":{"rendered":"

There is nothing quite like the feeling of not being able to catch your breath. When I was 22 years old, I had trouble breathing. I eventually went to the hospital where they diagnosed me with a pulmonary embolism\u2014a blood clot in the lung, a rare condition for a person of my age. I later learned that I had a <\/span>genetic condition<\/span><\/a> that increased my likelihood of developing a blood clot.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

My clot was broken up and I was treated for some time afterward with blood thinners, but I knew that in the future I would need to take proactive measures if I were to become pregnant or have surgery. Blood clots during pregnancy are a concern for many expectant mothers, but as I learned, it <\/span>is<\/span><\/i> possible to manage your high risk.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What is a blood clot?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Blood clotting is a natural process that occurs when blood clumps together to form a gelatinous mass. This process protects your body from bleeding too much when you\u2019ve been injured, as clotting can seal off the wound.\u00a0 Blood clotting (called thrombosis) can also cause complications, especially when it happens internally in your blood vessels.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This can happen in any blood vessel in the body. However, the most common place for abnormal blood clots to occur is in the deep veins of your legs. This is called deep vein thrombosis (<\/span>DVT<\/span><\/a>). The major concern is that the clot can break free and travel to other parts of the body (lungs are most common), which can lead to serious complications or even death.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Why are pregnant women at greater risk of blood clots?\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

In pregnancy, the body is primed to clot to prevent blood loss during delivery. While this is important, it also increases the risk of clotting problematically.<\/span><\/p>\n

It is estimated that pregnant women may be up to <\/span>five times more likely<\/span><\/a> to experience blood clots than non-pregnant women. There are several reasons for this uptick. Higher-than-normal <\/span>levels of estrogen<\/span><\/a> during pregnancy are known to increase clotting risk, although the <\/span>exact mechanism<\/span><\/a> by which this happens is unknown. Also, a woman\u2019s blood clots more easily in preparation for childbirth in order to reduce blood loss at delivery.\u00a0 Restricted blood flow may also raise the likelihood of blood clots. As the baby gets larger during pregnancy, it places more pressure on the blood vessels in the pelvic region, resulting in a restriction of blood flow that can also cause blood clots. If bed rest is required, lack of movement can decrease blood flow to the arms and legs, also increasing risk.<\/span><\/p>\n

A blood clot in the lung, also known as a pulmonary embolism, is a leading cause of maternal death for pregnant women in the U.S., according to the CDC. And the risk of developing blood clots isn\u2019t just during the pregnancy\u2014it continues to be a concern for approximately<\/span> three months<\/span><\/a> after giving birth. Delivery by cesarean section (C-section) nearly doubles your risk after birth.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPregnant women are at a higher risk of DVT for several reasons,\u201d says <\/span>Nisha Bunke, MD<\/span><\/a>, a vein specialist and diplomate of the American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine, \u201ca hypercoagulable state (proteins in the blood make it thicker, and more likely to form clots), an enlarged uterus may put pressure on the veins in the lower abdomen, and the hormones decrease venous tone.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Anyone can develop a blood clot during pregnancy, however it is more likely under certain conditions, or for those who already have some risk factors. <\/span>Dr. Bunke adds that \u201csome women have risk factors that increase their risk of DVT even more during pregnancy, like inherited blood clotting disorders, medical conditions such as lupus and sickle cell disease, obesity, immobility and age over 35.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Other factors that may increase the risk of clotting during pregnancy are:<\/span><\/p>\n