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Thromb Haemost 1984; 52(02): 176-182
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1661167
Original Article
Schattauer GmbH Stuttgart

Haemostasis in Normal Pregnancy

Yvonne Stirling
The MRC Epidemiology and Medical Care Unit, Northwick Park Hospital, Harrow, Middlesex, U. K.
,
Linda Woolf
The MRC Epidemiology and Medical Care Unit, Northwick Park Hospital, Harrow, Middlesex, U. K.
,
W R S North
The MRC Epidemiology and Medical Care Unit, Northwick Park Hospital, Harrow, Middlesex, U. K.
,
M J Seghatchian
The MRC Epidemiology and Medical Care Unit, Northwick Park Hospital, Harrow, Middlesex, U. K.
,
T W Meade
The MRC Epidemiology and Medical Care Unit, Northwick Park Hospital, Harrow, Middlesex, U. K.
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received 23 December 1983

Accepted 16 July 1984

Publication Date:
19 July 2018 (online)

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Summary

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 α1 antitrypsin, rose markedly throughout pregnancy. Factors II and V and α2 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.

Keywords

Pregnancy - Haemostasis
 

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