Why do pregnant women resort to heparin
What are the potential benefits and harms. Here are the most important details and advice about heparin for pregnant women.
Heparin is an anticoagulant that should be used by pregnant women during pregnancy or after childbirth.
But what are the benefits of heparin, what are its harms, and what are the most important tips to follow before using it
Here is the most important information about heparin for pregnant women in the following article
Heparin for pregnant women
During pregnancy and the immediate postpartum period
The risk of venous thrombosis increases, and the doctor usually prescribes anticoagulants
Like heparin for pregnant women, here are the three most common reasons why women start taking heparin during pregnancy or after childbirth:
- A clot that appears during pregnancy, or exposure to clots in a previous pregnancy.
- Increased risk of clot formation in cesarean deliveries, or when immobilizing after childbirth or during pregnancy for a period of time.
- A medical history of frequent venous thromboembolism.
Benefits of heparin for pregnant women
Pregnant women have a higher risk of venous thromboembolism when compared to non-pregnant women
Because of changes in blood clotting
Parts of the blood clot may break off and travel from the blood to the lungs
It is possible that the incidence of deep vein thrombosis, so doctors resort to prescribing heparin because of the following benefits:
- Prevention of blood clotting during pregnancy.
- Avoid bleeding during natural childbirth; To maintain the health of the pregnant woman and fetus.
Heparin side effects for pregnant women
So far, studies and clinical trials have not recorded the presence of complications of heparin that may pose a risk to the pregnant woman or the fetus
Although there are some reports that some fetuses are exposed to dangers that necessitated their entry into preterm birth
But so far, there is no evidence that heparin is the main cause of these damages.
Doctors indicate that heparin has many benefits that outweigh its potential harms
Therefore, a doctor should be consulted before resorting to the use of heparin based on the diagnosis of the health status of the pregnant woman.
Heparin side effects
Common side effects of heparin include:
- Skin warmth or discoloration.
- Anorexia.
- nosebleeds;
- Blood in the urine or stool.
- Swelling or redness in an arm or leg.
- fatigue and stress;
- Excessive sweating.
- Sudden severe headache.
Heparin side effects for pregnant women
In some rare cases, heparin can cause some complications, such as:
- breathing difficulties.
- unusual bleeding or bruising;
- pain in chest.
- difficulty speaking
- Irregular heartbeat.
- severe pain or swelling in the stomach, lower back, or groin;
- Problems with vision or speech.
Tips for using heparin for pregnant women
Heparin should be dispensed to pregnant women by the doctor if you need it during pregnancy
But you should alert your doctor if you have one or more of the following conditions:
- Allergy to heparin or any of its components.
- Thrombocytopenia.
- Heavy bleeding that cannot be stopped anywhere in your body.
- fever or infection
- I had a previous heart attack.
- Blood clots in the legs, lungs, or anywhere on the body.
- Unusual bruising or purple spots under the skin.
- Ulcers in the stomach or intestines.
- high blood pressure.
- A bleeding disorder such as hemophilia or antithrombin III deficiency.
You must also inform the doctor about all the medicines you are taking, including those prescribed
vitamins and herbal supplements; To avoid medical complications
You should bring this list with you every time you see a doctor or if you are admitted to the hospital.
You must adhere to the appointments and laboratory tests requested by your doctor. To check your body’s response to heparin and make sure there is no bleeding or any complications from heparin use.
