Bleeding disorders in pregnancy

Abstract 

During pregnancy the physiological changes in the haemostatic system tend to improve the inherited bleeding disorders. However, acquired bleeding disorders tend to worsen and bleeding problems unique to pregnancy may occur. In this review, we discuss and provide recommendations for the management of bleeding problems seen in pregnancy, such as thrombocytopenia, von Willebrand disease, haemophilias and thrombotic microangiopathies. In the majority of cases complicated by haematological disease, pregnancy, delivery and the puerperium should be managed by a multidisciplinary team, which includes obstetricians, haematologists and anaesthetists.

Keywords: bleeding, postpartum haemorrhage, thrombocytopenia antipartum haemorrhage