title: Haemostatic changes in pregnancy.
abstract: Normal pregnancy is accompanied by changes in the coagulation and fibrinolytic systems. These include increases in a number of clotting factors (I, II, VII, VIII, IX and XII), a decrease in protein S levels and inhibition of fibrinolysis. As gestation progresses, there is also a significant fall in the activity of activated protein C, an important anticoagulant. While these physiological changes may be important for minimizing intrapartum blood loss, they entail an increased risk of thromboembolism during pregnancy and the post-partum period.
authors.affiliation: Department of Woman and Child Health, Karolinska Institutet, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Karolinska Hospital, SE-171 76 Stockholm, Sweden. karatina.bremme@ks.se
authors.forename: Katarina A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Bremme
mesh_terms: D001779:Blood Coagulation Factors / Q000032:analysis; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D005260:Female; D006487:Hemostasis / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000097:blood*; D013917:Thrombin / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D001779:Blood Coagulation Factors; D013917:Thrombin