{"id":906,"date":"2016-10-31T15:55:21","date_gmt":"2016-10-31T15:55:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.stoptheclot.org\/spreadtheword\/?page_id=906"},"modified":"2025-01-20T10:25:58","modified_gmt":"2025-01-20T16:25:58","slug":"pregnancy","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.stoptheclot.org\/spreadtheword\/pregnancy\/","title":{"rendered":"Pregnancy"},"content":{"rendered":"[vc_row fullwidth=”true” padding=”0″][vc_column][mk_edge_slider first_el=”true” swiper_bg=”#b11b29″ order=”ASC” orderby=”menu_order” full_height=”false” height=”345″ direction_nav=”none” pagination=”small_dot_stroke” skip_arrow=”false” slides=”977, 991, 994, 1001″][mk_fancy_title color=”#393836″ size=”40″ font_weight=”300″ txt_transform=”none” margin_top=”60″ margin_bottom=”30″ font_family=”none” align=”center” animation=”left-to-right”]Expecting or recently had a baby?
\nDon’t let a blood clot spoil your joy.<\/span>[\/mk_fancy_title][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/4″]\n[\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text align=”center” margin_bottom=”20″]If you are expecting or recently had a baby, you know that it can be an exciting and joyful time. From doctor\u2019s visits, where you might catch the first glimpse of your developing baby during an ultrasound, to decorating the nursery and picking out precious little baby clothes. Enjoy all of these special moments and plans.<\/p>\n

As you prepare for the day when your baby arrives, it is important that you take care of yourself. There is one key health issue that many women who are expecting a baby might overlook: dangerous blood clots.<\/p>\n

Pregnancy, childbirth, and the three-month period after delivery are times when there are major risks for the development of dangerous blood clots. With the right information and a prevention plan, blood clots may be prevented.[\/vc_column_text][vc_raw_html]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[\/vc_raw_html][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/4″][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=”thin_solid” divider_width=”one_third”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][mk_page_section bg_color=”#ffffff” padding_top=”20″ padding_bottom=”60″ sidebar=”sidebar-0″ first_page=”false” last_page=”false”][vc_column][mk_fancy_title color=”#393836″ size=”40″ font_weight=”300″ margin_bottom=”40″ font_family=”none” align=”center”]Get the facts<\/span>[\/mk_fancy_title][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][mk_image src=”https:\/\/www.stoptheclot.org\/spreadtheword\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/pregnancy-fact-1-new-05-12-17.png” image_size=”full” align=”center” animation=”scale-up” crop=”false”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][mk_image src=”https:\/\/www.stoptheclot.org\/spreadtheword\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/pregnancy-fact-1-new-06.26.18.png” image_size=”full” align=”center” animation=”scale-up” crop=”false”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][mk_image src=”https:\/\/www.stoptheclot.org\/spreadtheword\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/pregnancy-fact-3-new.png” image_size=”full” align=”center” animation=”scale-up” crop=”false”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][mk_image src=”https:\/\/www.stoptheclot.org\/spreadtheword\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/pregnancy-fact-4-new.png” image_size=”full” align=”center” animation=”scale-up” crop=”false”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][mk_image src=”https:\/\/www.stoptheclot.org\/spreadtheword\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/pregnancy-fact-5-new.png” image_size=”full” align=”center” animation=”scale-up” crop=”false”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/mk_page_section][mk_page_section bg_color=”#f4f4f4″ padding_top=”60″ padding_bottom=”60″ sidebar=”sidebar-1″][vc_column width=”2\/3″][mk_fancy_title size=”21″ margin_bottom=”0″ font_family=”none” align=”right” animation=”top-to-bottom”]A woman\u2019s blood naturally clots more easily during pregnancy to help her body prepare for blood loss during childbirth. Other factors unique to pregnancy can contribute to the development of blood clots:[\/mk_fancy_title][mk_divider style=”thin_solid” margin_top=”10″ margin_bottom=”30″][vc_column_text align=”right” animation=”left-to-right”]Blood flow slows later in pregnancy, due to pressure on a woman\u2019s blood vessels from the growing baby.<\/p>\n

A woman may experience injury to veins during delivery or surgery.<\/p>\n

Prolonged immobility due to bed rest during pregnancy or while recovering from childbirth can cause blood to pool and slow blood flow.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″][mk_image src=”https:\/\/www.stoptheclot.org\/spreadtheword\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/pregnancy-belly-foot-left-facing-red.png” image_size=”full” align=”center” margin_bottom=”0″ animation=”fade-in”][\/vc_column][\/mk_page_section][mk_page_section bg_color=”#af1e2d” padding_top=”60″ padding_bottom=”60″ sidebar=”sidebar-1″][vc_column width=”1\/4″][mk_image src=”https:\/\/www.stoptheclot.org\/spreadtheword\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/pregnancy-belly-foot-right-facing.png” image_size=”full” align=”center” margin_bottom=”0″ animation=”fade-in”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”3\/4″][mk_fancy_title color=”#ffffff” size=”21″ margin_bottom=”0″ font_family=”none” animation=”top-to-bottom”]Dangerous blood clots can affect you and your developing baby.[\/mk_fancy_title][mk_divider style=”thin_solid” thin_single_color=”#ffffff” margin_top=”10″ margin_bottom=”30″][vc_column_text animation=”right-to-left”]Blood clots can form in the deep veins of a woman\u2019s legs or arms and block the flow of blood through the vein. Left untreated, blood clots in the legs or arms can break off and travel to the lungs, which can be life threatening.<\/span><\/p>\n

Blood clots during pregnancy also can be dangerous for the developing baby because they can cut off blood flow to the developing baby.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/mk_page_section][mk_page_section bg_color=”#f4f4f4″ padding_top=”60″ padding_bottom=”60″ sidebar=”sidebar-0″ first_page=”false” last_page=”false”][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text align=”right” css=”.vc_custom_1565021828193{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Click on the image to view and share an infographic about the risk for blood clots during pregnancy, childbirth and up to three months after delivery.
\n<\/span><\/strong>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][mk_image src=”https:\/\/www.stoptheclot.org\/spreadtheword\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/pregnancy-risk.png” image_width=”299″ image_height=”173″ link=”https:\/\/www.stoptheclot.org\/spreadtheword\/pregnancy-risks-infographic\/” crop=”false”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/mk_page_section][mk_page_section bg_color=”#f4f4f4″ padding_top=”60″ padding_bottom=”60″ margin_bottom=”20″ sidebar=”sidebar-1″ first_page=”false” last_page=”false”][vc_column][mk_fancy_title color=”#b11b29″ size=”40″ font_weight=”300″ txt_transform=”none” margin_bottom=”30″ font_family=”none” align=”center”]Risks for blood clots during pregnancy, childbirth, and up to three months after delivery.[\/mk_fancy_title][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][mk_image src=”https:\/\/www.stoptheclot.org\/spreadtheword\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/childbirth-icon.png” image_width=”94″ image_height=”92″ align=”center” margin_bottom=”20″ animation=”scale-up” crop=”false”][mk_fancy_title color=”#393836″ size=”16″ font_weight=”bold” txt_transform=”uppercase” margin_bottom=”5″ font_family=”none” align=”center”]Blood Loss[\/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text align=”center” css=”.vc_custom_1565642910333{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]\n

Blood naturally clots more easily during pregnancy to prepare for blood loss during childbirth<\/span><\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][mk_image src=”https:\/\/www.stoptheclot.org\/spreadtheword\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/pregnancy-immobility-icon.png” image_width=”94″ image_height=”92″ align=”center” margin_bottom=”20″ animation=”scale-up” crop=”false”][mk_fancy_title color=”#393836″ size=”16″ font_weight=”bold” txt_transform=”uppercase” margin_bottom=”5″ font_family=”none” align=”center”]Immobility[\/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text align=”center” css=”.vc_custom_1565642916419{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Prolonged immobility due to bed rest during pregnancy or recovery after delivery<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][mk_image src=”https:\/\/www.stoptheclot.org\/spreadtheword\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/pregnancy-family-history-icon.png” image_width=”94″ image_height=”92″ align=”center” margin_bottom=”20″ animation=”scale-up” crop=”false”][mk_fancy_title color=”#393836″ size=”16″ font_weight=”bold” txt_transform=”uppercase” margin_bottom=”5″ font_family=”none” align=”center”]Family History[\/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text align=”center” css=”.vc_custom_1565642922099{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]A previous blood clot, a family history of blood clots, or a genetic blood clotting disorder<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/4″][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/4″][mk_image src=”https:\/\/www.stoptheclot.org\/spreadtheword\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/pregnancy-surgery-icon.png” image_width=”94″ image_height=”92″ align=”center” margin_bottom=”20″ animation=”scale-up” crop=”false”][mk_fancy_title color=”#393836″ size=”16″ font_weight=”bold” txt_transform=”uppercase” margin_bottom=”5″ font_family=”none” align=”center”]Surgical Delivery[\/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text align=”center” css=”.vc_custom_1565642928241{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]The surgical delivery of a baby by C-section<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/4″][mk_image src=”https:\/\/www.stoptheclot.org\/spreadtheword\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/cronic-conditions-icon.png” image_width=”94″ image_height=”92″ align=”center” margin_bottom=”20″ animation=”scale-up” crop=”false”][mk_fancy_title color=”#393836″ size=”16″ font_weight=”bold” txt_transform=”uppercase” margin_bottom=”5″ font_family=”none” align=”center”]Other Complications[\/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text align=”center” css=”.vc_custom_1565642934508{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Certain pregnancy complications and conditions, such as pregnancy with multiple babies or the use of fertility treatments involving hormones<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/4″][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][mk_divider style=”shadow_line” divider_width=”one_third” margin_top=”40″ margin_bottom=”40″][mk_fancy_title color=”#b11b29″ size=”21″ font_weight=”bold” font_family=”none” align=”center”]Other factors that can increase a woman\u2019s risk for blood clots
\nduring pregnancy and the postpartum period[\/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text align=”center” css=”.vc_custom_1520543319375{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]\u2022 Smoking \u2022 Overweight or obesity \u2022 Other prolonged immobility, such as travel for more than four hours \u2022 Surgery
\n\u2022 Pregnancy at age 35 or older \u2022 Long-term diseases, such as heart and lung conditions, or diabetes[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/mk_page_section][mk_page_section padding_bottom=”0″ margin_bottom=”20″ sidebar=”sidebar-1″][vc_column][mk_fancy_title color=”#af1f2d” size=”40″ font_weight=”300″ txt_transform=”none” font_family=”none” align=”center”]As you prepare for baby,
\ndon\u2019t forget to take care of yourself.[\/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text align=”center” animation=”top-to-bottom”]A woman is at increased risk for a dangerous blood clot throughout her pregnancy, during childbirth, and up to three months after her baby is born.<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text align=”center” margin_bottom=”20″ animation=”top-to-bottom”]When you take care of yourself, you take care of your developing baby too.<\/strong><\/span>[\/vc_column_text][mk_image src=”https:\/\/www.stoptheclot.org\/spreadtheword\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/pregnancy-trimester-timeline-final2.png” image_size=”full” align=”center” margin_bottom=”20″ animation=”scale-up”][vc_column_text align=”center” animation=”top-to-bottom”]When blood clots connected to pregnancy form in the legs or lungs, one-half of them occur during pregnancy, and one-half occur in the three-month period after the baby is born.[\/vc_column_text][mk_divider style=”shadow_line”][\/vc_column][\/mk_page_section][mk_page_section][vc_column][mk_fancy_title color=”#444444″ size=”40″ font_weight=”300″ txt_transform=”none” margin_bottom=”40″ font_family=”none” align=”center”]Planning a pregnancy or
\nexpecting a baby?[\/mk_fancy_title][mk_fancy_title color=”#b11b29″ size=”32″ font_weight=”bold” margin_bottom=”15″ font_family=”none” align=”center” animation=”left-to-right”]Know your risks[\/mk_fancy_title][mk_fancy_title color=”#393836″ size=”21″ font_weight=”bold” txt_transform=”none” font_family=”none” align=”center”]Click on the image below to download a list of factors that can help you and your doctor determine your blood clot risk.
\n[\/mk_fancy_title][mk_moving_image src=”https:\/\/www.stoptheclot.org\/spreadtheword\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/pdf-icon-e1450132224521.png” align=”center” title=”Download a list of risk factors” link=”https:\/\/www.stoptheclot.org\/spreadtheword\/pregnancy-risk-checklist\/” animation=”fade-in”][mk_padding_divider size=”30″][\/vc_column][\/mk_page_section][mk_page_section bg_color=”#f4f4f4″ padding_top=”60″ padding_bottom=”60″ margin_bottom=”20″ sidebar=”sidebar-1″ first_page=”false” last_page=”false”][vc_column][mk_fancy_title color=”#af1f2d” size=”40″ font_weight=”300″ txt_transform=”none” margin_bottom=”40″ font_family=”none” align=”center” animation=”bottom-to-top”]Cherish the experience of pregnancy and childbirth.
\nDon\u2019t let a blood clot spoil your joy.
\nTalk to your doctor to learn if you might benefit from a blood clot prevention plan.[\/mk_fancy_title][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/6″][mk_font_icons icon=”mk-moon-checkmark” color=”#ffffff” size=”medium” margin_horizental=”8″ margin_vertical=”8″ circle=”true” circle_color=”#af1e2d” circle_border_width=”0″ align=”right” animation=”scale-up”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2\/3″][vc_column_text animation=”right-to-left”]Talk to your family about your health history and tell your doctor if you or a family member has ever had a blood clot.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/6″][mk_font_icons icon=”mk-moon-checkmark” color=”#ffffff” size=”medium” margin_horizental=”8″ margin_vertical=”8″ circle=”true” circle_color=”#af1e2d” circle_border_width=”0″ align=”right” animation=”scale-up”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2\/3″][vc_column_text animation=”right-to-left”]Talk to your doctor about all of your potential risks for developing blood clots.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/6″][mk_font_icons icon=”mk-moon-checkmark” color=”#ffffff” size=”medium” margin_horizental=”8″ margin_vertical=”8″ circle=”true” circle_color=”#af1e2d” circle_border_width=”0″ align=”right” animation=”scale-up”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2\/3″][vc_column_text animation=”right-to-left”]Work with your doctor to reduce your risk for blood clots, especially if you are on bed rest, have a history of blood clots, or have had a C-section.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/6″][mk_font_icons icon=”mk-moon-checkmark” color=”#ffffff” size=”medium” margin_horizental=”8″ margin_vertical=”8″ circle=”true” circle_color=”#af1e2d” circle_border_width=”0″ align=”right” animation=”scale-up”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2\/3″][vc_column_text animation=”right-to-left”]Exercise as much as your doctor recommends. If you sit for long periods of time, move around or exercise your legs frequently.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/6″][mk_font_icons icon=”mk-moon-checkmark” color=”#ffffff” size=”medium” margin_horizental=”8″ margin_vertical=”8″ circle=”true” circle_color=”#af1e2d” circle_border_width=”0″ align=”right” animation=”scale-up”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2\/3″][vc_column_text animation=”right-to-left”]Drink plenty of liquids. Recommend that women drink 10, eight-ounce glasses of liquid every day while pregnant, and 12-13 glasses of liquid every day while breastfeeding.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/6″][mk_font_icons icon=”mk-moon-checkmark” color=”#ffffff” size=”medium” margin_horizental=”8″ margin_vertical=”8″ circle=”true” circle_color=”#af1e2d” circle_border_width=”0″ align=”right” animation=”scale-up”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2\/3″][vc_column_text animation=”right-to-left”]Take medications and use compression devices as prescribed.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/mk_page_section][mk_page_section margin_bottom=”20″ sidebar=”sidebar-1″][vc_column][mk_fancy_title color=”#af1f2d” size=”40″ font_weight=”300″ txt_transform=”none” margin_bottom=”40″ font_family=”none” align=”center” animation=”top-to-bottom”]Women at increased risk for dangerous blood clots, or previously diagnosed with a blood clot, should discuss options to prevent blood clots with their doctor.[\/mk_fancy_title][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2\/3″][vc_column_text animation=”left-to-right”]If a pregnant woman is at higher risk for developing blood clots, her doctor may prescribe one or more methods to prevent blood clots during her pregnancy and up to three months after her baby is born.<\/p>\n

There are two safe and effective methods of blood clot prevention for pregnant women at increased risk for blood clots :<\/p>\n