Why is heparin administered during pregnancy?
Nov 29, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhang Lu
Introduction
Heparin administration during pregnancy may help prevent thrombosis, improve placental function, prevent amniotic fluid embolism, prevent recurrent miscarriage, and prevent gestational hypertension. During pregnancy, blood is in a relatively hypercoagulable state, increasing the risk of thrombosis formation, especially serious complications such as lower limb venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. As an anticoagulant medication, heparin can effectively reduce blood coagulability and prevent thrombus formation.
Generally, administering heparin during pregnancy may help prevent thrombosis, improve placental function, prevent amniotic fluid embolism, prevent recurrent miscarriage, and prevent gestational hypertension. If any discomfort occurs, timely medical consultation is recommended. Detailed explanations are as follows:
1. Prevention of Thrombosis
During pregnancy, blood remains in a relatively hypercoagulable state, increasing the risk of thrombosis formation, particularly serious complications such as lower limb venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. As an anticoagulant, heparin can effectively reduce blood coagulability and prevent thrombus formation.
2. Improvement of Placental Function
Some pregnant women may experience placental insufficiency during pregnancy, leading to inadequate blood supply to the fetus and affecting normal fetal development. As an anticoagulant, heparin can improve microcirculation, promote placental tissue perfusion to the embryo, thereby enhancing placental function and ensuring normal fetal development.
3. Prevention of Amniotic Fluid Embolism
Amniotic fluid embolism is a severe obstetric complication with high mortality. By exerting its anticoagulant effect, heparin can reduce the risk of thrombus formation from cellular components in amniotic fluid within the maternal body, thus helping prevent amniotic fluid embolism.
4. Prevention of Recurrent Miscarriage
Some pregnant women are prone to recurrent miscarriage due to dysfunction of the coagulation, anticoagulation, and fibrinolytic systems in the body. Heparin has immunomodulatory effects, can promote proliferation and invasion of trophoblast cells, protect vascular endothelium, and aid in embryo implantation and development.
5. Prevention of Gestational Hypertension
Gestational hypertension is a common complication during pregnancy and can be life-threatening to both mother and baby in severe cases. Through its anticoagulant properties, heparin can improve microcirculation, reduce vascular resistance, and thus help lower blood pressure. Additionally, heparin has anti-inflammatory effects that can alleviate inflammatory responses caused by gestational hypertension.
It is recommended to maintain healthy lifestyle habits, balance work and rest appropriately, and avoid excessive fatigue to promote overall health.
