title: Haemostasis in normal pregnancy.
abstract: 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 alpha 1-antitrypsin, rose markedly throughout pregnancy. Factors II and V and alpha 2 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.
mesh_terms: D000941:Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D000990:Antithrombin III / Q000032:analysis; D005165:Factor V / Q000032:analysis; D005169:Factor VIII / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D005170:Factor X / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005338:Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products / Q000032:analysis; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000032:analysis; D006487:Hemostasis; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D011516:Prothrombin / Q000032:analysis; D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin / Q000032:analysis; D000511:alpha-Macroglobulins / Q000032:analysis; D014841:von Willebrand Factor
chemical_list: D000941:Antigens; D005338:Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products; D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin; D000511:alpha-Macroglobulins; D014841:von Willebrand Factor; D000990:Antithrombin III; D005165:Factor V; D011516:Prothrombin; D005169:Factor VIII; D005170:Factor X; D005340:Fibrinogen