BLOOD CLOTS CAUSE 100,000 US DEATHS PER YEAR.

During pregnancy, starting at about 16 weeks, blood will begin to clot more easily. This poses no risk to most women.

Pregnant women and women who have recently given birth are at a higher risk than non-pregnant women to form blood clots. The risk of developing a blood clot is 4 to 6 times more likely in a pregnant woman. This is due to normal pregnancy-related changes in blood clotting that limit blood loss

* during labor and delivery.

BE AWARE over 50% of maternal deaths occur postpartum, (after giving birth).

Pulmonary Embolism, (blood clot in the lung) is a leading cause of maternal death. Click here to see warning signs.

C-section surgery doubles this risk. 3 out of 10 women have a C-section.

The highest risk for developing pulmonary embolism is during delivery and after giving birth. C-section creates the highest risk.

For women with clotting disorders, the risk is even higher.

Thrombophilias are common blood clotting disorders but currently, there is no requirement for thrombophilia blood tests prior to prescribing hormone-based contraceptives or prior to C-section surgery.

Hormone-based contraceptive drugs increase the risk of forming blood clots. Click here to see info about “Blood Clots and Birth Control” This is important because women who suffer a blood clot prior to pregnancy are at much higher risk for blood clots during pregnancy.