In anticipation of a child, a woman undergoes several studies so that you can observe the progress of the whole process, including their coagulogram. During pregnancy, it is carried out to every woman. But some expectant mothers are terrified of such a word. Although, in fact, there is nothing wrong with this, and this is just another procedure for taking an analysis during the period of bearing a child.
However, many women are afraid when the doctor prescribes this test. To dispel all fears, it’s worth a good understanding of what this study is and whether there are really any risks.
What kind of analysis is this?
A coagulogram is a rather complex study that allows you to evaluate the state of the hemostatic system. That is, using this analysis, you can identify any violations, if any.
A person’s life support depends entirely on the state of the blood, and during pregnancy this is especially important. Mother Nature provided for everything and therefore created a hemostatic system that maintains blood in the required state.
Understanding what this analysis is - a coagulogram, will help to avoid undesirable stressful situations that only harm both the woman herself and the unborn child.
Thanks to hemostasis, blood coagulates when blood vessels are damaged to prevent bleeding. It can also liquefy so that the circulatory system does not become clogged.
In other words, a coagulogram allows you to determine the degree of blood coagulation. With high hemostasis (hypercoagulation), blood clots form quickly, which can lead to thrombosis, stroke or heart attack. In the case of a decrease in hemostasis (hypocoagulation), blood clots form much more slowly, which is also not good. In this case, even slight damage to the vessels may lead to large blood loss.
Role analysis
During the gestation period, an important role is given to the indicators of the coagulogram. During pregnancy, the state of hemostasis is very important. So, when hypocoagulation is detected, the risk of miscarriage increases, moreover, spontaneous and premature delivery, and at the birth of a child there may be heavy blood loss.
Of all the complications of pregnancy, the most serious are preeclampsia, venous thrombosis, thrombophilia. The coagulogram allows you to identify any likely deviations and prevent the development of some complications. As for the case of vein thrombosis, pregnant women have a 5 times higher risk of it!
The need for analysis
What is the analysis, it is now clear, but is it necessary to take it to pregnant women? Soon everything will be clear. During the period of gestation, it is important that the hemostasis indicators adhere to the norm. Such a phenomenon as hypercoagulation is fraught with a variety of undesirable consequences. To more accurately understand the coagulogram, what kind of analysis it is, you need to find out why you need to take it.
Through the placenta, the baby receives oxygen and other essential nutrients and trace elements. And here it is important what condition the mother's circulatory system is in. In the presence of a blood clot, the blood supply process is disrupted. As a result, the fetus is formed defectively. This occurs due to a deficiency of substances, including oxygen starvation (hypoxia). Ultimately, if the pregnancy continues to proceed in this form, the baby will inevitably be born with some kind of abnormality.
In addition, due to malfunctions in the blood supply, the risks increase:
- Abortion
- Severe gestosis.
- Fetoplacental insufficiency.
- The formation of blood clots in vessels of special importance.
In the case of hypocoagulation, there is a risk of blood loss, which is incompatible with life. And in the later stages of pregnancy, the placenta may exfoliate.
Indications for research
The main indications for conducting a coagulogram during pregnancy are the presence of pathologies associated with the circulatory system (varicose veins, liver diseases, autoimmune abnormalities, etc.). Women with hereditary abnormalities in terms of bleeding disorders should undergo this analysis without fail.
In addition, it is worth highlighting other indications for analysis:
- heavy work;
- missed pregnancy, abortion, spontaneous abortion;
- cardiac abnormalities.
It is easier to prevent pathology than to treat it later. In this connection, the determination of the degree of coagulation of blood in the mother will help to avoid any abnormalities in the fetus, and the baby will be born full and healthy.
How to prepare for a coagulogram during pregnancy?
There is no particular preparation; however, a few simple recommendations should be followed. This will allow more accurate research. The test is done in the morning and always on an empty stomach, that is, the last meal - at least 8 hours in advance.
Also, before the procedure, you should refrain from drinking alcohol, smoked meats and spicy foods, refuse fatty foods and cigarettes. This can also include those drugs that affect blood coagulation.
Of liquids, only ordinary drinking water is allowed, and juices, compotes, teas, coffee and other similar drinks are not allowed to be consumed before analysis. 30 minutes before the study, you need to calm down and try to avoid panic and fear. This is very important, because due to stressful effects, real readings can change, which can give a false result.
Experts recommend a glass of water and relax 10-15 minutes before the material is taken.
Analysis
And how to take on a coagulogram during pregnancy? To determine the state of hemostasis, the material in a pregnant woman is taken from a vein in the area of the elbow bend. If there are no deviations from the norm in the testimony of the analysis, then the analysis is submitted according to the plan.
And this is three times:
- When a woman is registered during pregnancy.
- Second trimester - from 22 to 24 weeks.
- Third trimester - from 30 to 36 weeks.
However, if any deviations are detected, the procedure is carried out more often. They can be the following pathologies of the mother:
- Violation of the liver and gall bladder.
- Autoimmune pathologies.
- Varicose veins.
- The difficult course of pregnancy (IVF).
- Disruption of the heart or vascular system.
- Infertility.
Additionally, an analysis can be prescribed if a woman takes a number of drugs (like anticoagulants). Also, cases of operations and serious medical intervention can be attributed to this.
However, an analysis for a coagulogram during pregnancy should be given not only during the period of gestation, but also at the stage of its planning. Then, if abnormalities are found, the doctor will be able to choose the necessary treatment, which will contribute to a better conception and bearing a child without any deviations and complications.
Deciphering the results
Decryption of the results is done only by a specialist, it is very difficult to figure it out on your own, and it is not recommended to avoid unnecessary stress. Only a doctor can assess the state of hemostasis and determine the degree of blood coagulation.
The main indicators of the coagulogram are:
- D-dimer.
- Antithrombin III.
- APTT.
- Lupus coagulant.
- Prothrombin.
- Platelets.
- Thrombin time.
- Fibrinogen.
All these indicators can indicate how the pregnancy proceeds, whether there are any pathologies that pose a serious threat to the life of the mother or child. Moreover, even slight deviations can be detected. Let us analyze a little more in detail, which shows a coagulogram during pregnancy.
D-dimer
It is a protein formed after the breakdown of fibrin, and is an important indicator for the detection of thrombosis. With the onset of the new month, its content increases, and immediately before the birth, the maximum concentration of these elements is collected.
Under normal conditions, during pregnancy, the increase in this protein occurs smoothly. Sudden jumps indicate the presence of renal disease, preeclampsia or diabetes. The following values can be considered normal:
- first trimester - 750 ng / l;
- second trimester - 1000 ng / l;
- third trimester - 1500 ng / l;
Exceeding the norm may indicate placental abruption, which, in turn, results in a miscarriage. It can also mean a risk of increased thrombosis. Low values mean heavy blood loss.
Antithrombin III
This protein is responsible for slowing down the process of blood coagulation. If the decoding of the coagulogram during pregnancy shows a low content, the risk of thrombosis increases. And at high concentrations, uncontrolled bleeding may occur. In pregnant women, the rate is 75–125%.
Lupus coagulant
These are antibodies that resist the formation of thrombin from prothrombin. During pregnancy, this indicator should not be. Otherwise, one can judge the presence of autoimmune unwanted changes. In this case, the woman’s body begins to perceive its own cells as foreign and, accordingly, destroys them.
This phenomenon may be characteristic of antiphospholipid syndrome or lupus erythematosus. As a rule, pregnancy in this case ends tragically:
- placental abruption;
- spontaneous interruption;
- death of the fetus.
In addition, lupus anticoagulant can be detected in the blood of a pregnant woman with a negative Rhesus factor or Rhesus conflict, including severe gestosis.
APTTV
It is fully decrypted as follows: activated partial thromboplastin time. Here, it is also especially important to adhere to the norm of the coagulogram during pregnancy, since this is also an important indicator of hemostasis, indicating the period of time for which the blood coagulates. Moreover, in mothers in position, this process proceeds more rapidly than in ordinary women. This is due to the influence of fibrinogen.
Normally, this indicator is normal 24-35 s, but in pregnant women it is even lower: 17-20 s. This is due to the fact that the female body is preparing for the birth of the baby and at the same time for the inevitable blood loss.
An increase in time is an alarming sign - in this case, blood coagulates more slowly, and there is a threat of heavy bleeding. Too low indicators also do not benefit, as the risk of thrombosis increases.
Thrombin time
By this term is meant the conversion time of fibrinogen to fibrin. During pregnancy, there is a constant increase in fibrinogen in the blood of a woman. As a result of this, the time of the conversion process itself increases.
Normally, a coagulogram during pregnancy should show from 18 to 25 seconds. Exceeding these values indicates abnormalities in the liver, as well as a lack of vitamin K.
Prothrombin
Another protein compound that is present in human blood. And it is from such "material" that thrombin is built, which is the main source of blood clots. This indicator helps to determine the degree and speed of blood coagulation, as well as its consistency.
Normally, the prothrombin content should be in the range of 80–140%. A significant excess already gives cause for concern, since placental abruption can occur, which, in turn, can provoke a miscarriage.
Fibrinogen
This is a kind of fibrin precursor, and this protein can be considered special, because it is thanks to it that a blood clot forms. Like the D-dimer, fibrinogen increases with each new month of the pregnancy period, and reaches its maximum concentration before giving birth.
The norm is considered the amount of protein equal to 6.2-6.5 g / l, not more. Otherwise, this is already a bad coagulogram during pregnancy, an inflammatory process proceeds in the body of a woman.
Platelets
These cells are essential elements of human blood. They are born in the bone marrow, and they are directly related to the process of plasma coagulation. During the bearing of a child, their concentration decreases slightly, which in no way affects the process itself. And the key feature is just a slight deviation.
The platelet count in the amount of 130-400 thousand per μl is considered the norm. If the concentration drops significantly, then this may indicate a serious pathology in the body of a pregnant woman. This can happen for various reasons, one of them is malnutrition, progressive DIC, etc.
Advanced and easy analysis
Of all the considered indicators of antithrombin III, D-dimer and lupus anticoagulant belong to the expanded coagulogram during pregnancy. Everything else is a simple procedure.
An extensive analysis is necessary if any problems are found in the readings. It is carried out instead of a simple study or immediately after it. There are also some indications for an extended study:
- A woman for a long time could not conceive a child.
- A successful attempt to get pregnant has always led to one result - its interruption.
- The course of gestosis in severe form.
- Hereditary blood diseases.
- Waiting for twins, triplets, etc.
- Death of the fetus.
Many expectant mothers begin to try to decipher what the coagulogram shows on their own.
And after that they begin to make decisions, and most of them are simply terrible. With the support of “knowledgeable” specialists, expectant mothers deliberately and unknowingly endanger not only themselves, but also the child.
Total
A pregnant woman who is preparing to become a mother needs to monitor her health if she wants to hug a full-fledged baby without any deviations and pathologies. And for this, it is necessary to undergo timely studies and take all the tests, not forgetting about the coagulogram during pregnancy. Only in this case, you can fully experience the joy of motherhood!