Haemostasis in Normal Pregnancy

Yvonne Stirling; Linda Woolf; W R S North; M J Seghatchian; T W Meade

doi:10.1055/s-0038-1661167

Thrombosis and Haemostasis, Table of Contents

Thromb Haemost 1984; 52(02): 176-182
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1661167

Original Article

Schattauer GmbH Stuttgart

Haemostasis in Normal Pregnancy

Yvonne Stirling

The MRC Epidemiology and Medical Care Unit, Northwick Park Hospital, Harrow, Middlesex, U. K.

,

Linda Woolf

The MRC Epidemiology and Medical Care Unit, Northwick Park Hospital, Harrow, Middlesex, U. K.

,

W R S North

The MRC Epidemiology and Medical Care Unit, Northwick Park Hospital, Harrow, Middlesex, U. K.

,

M J Seghatchian

The MRC Epidemiology and Medical Care Unit, Northwick Park Hospital, Harrow, Middlesex, U. K.

,

T W Meade

The MRC Epidemiology and Medical Care Unit, Northwick Park Hospital, Harrow, Middlesex, U. K.

› Author Affiliations

Abstract

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Summary

A study has been undertaken in 72 women to provide systematic information on the changes that occur in a wide range of haemostatic variables during and after pregnancy. Factors VII, VIII :C, VIIIR:Ag, X, fibrinogen and α₁ antitrypsin, rose markedly throughout pregnancy. Factors II and V and α₂ macroglobulin all rose early on but then decreased steadily. Antithrombin III: C and Ag fell slightly. There was a marked decrease in fibrinolytic activity from 11-15 weeks onwards. Levels of fibrin degradation products rose from 21-25 weeks onwards. The rise in coagulation factors that occurs could be due to increased synthesis or increased activation by thrombin, or to both. The findings are consistent with a mild degree of local intravascular coagulation from early on in pregnancy in some women.

Keywords

Pregnancy - Haemostasis

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References

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