A pregnant woman may face various medical challenges during her pregnancy and one such challenge is a low platelet count or Thrombocytopenia. Pregnant women go through many physical and emotional changes during pregnancy and these severe pathological changes in the body may result in conditions such as thrombocytopenia.
Platelets are responsible for blood clotting and play a significant role during pregnancy as well. The average or normal platelet count of a non-pregnant woman may range between 150,000 and 400,000 per microlitre of blood. The platelet count of a woman may drop to 116,000 per microlitre of blood during pregnancy. However, if it is less than 116,000, the condition is known as thrombocytopenia.
If there is only a slight drop in your platelet count, it is not a matter of great concern as it may not cause any medical complication for you or your baby. Though, your platelet count will be monitored closely by your doctor or midwife to see if there is a further drop. However, extreme drop in your platelet count may cause serious problems and therefore will require immediate medical help.
Thrombocytopenia or low platelet count during pregnancy is the second most common blood disorder after anaemia. It is observed that nearly 5 to 8 percent women may get diagnosed with a low platelet count during their pregnancy. Not all cases of thrombocytopenia may cause serious complication in pregnancy or childbirth, but it is better to prepare yourself to face any complications that may arise with this condition.
Following are some of the causes of low platelet count in pregnancy:
If you have thrombocytopenia before pregnancy, there is a fair chance that it is caused due to some existing condition or medication that you may be taking. This condition can be determined through an early pregnancy test as there is no specific diagnostic test to determine the cause of low platelet count in the body. Your doctor will monitor your condition regularly to check for any symptom of the underlying cause or to check any further decline in the platelet count.
If the low platelet count is established in the later stages of pregnancy, then it may due to various reasons such as preeclampsia or HELLP syndrome. You will be treated according to the symptoms of your condition.
In case of gestational thrombocytopenia, you are unlikely to require any treatment. However, your doctor may keep a constant tab of your health.
The major risk associated with low platelet count in pregnancy is the increased risk of bleeding during the childbirth or post that. There is an increased blood supply to the uterus during pregnancy and the surgical procedure requires cutting of major blood vessels. Women with thrombocytopenia are at increased risk of losing excessive blood. The risk is more in case of caesarean delivery as compared to vaginal delivery.
If a woman with thrombocytopenia requests for an epidural then she may be at a risk of spinal epidural hematoma, a condition which can be caused by an accidental puncture in the spine. This condition may lead to permanent paralysis also.
The treatment for low platelet count in pregnancy depends on the severity of your condition. Milder conditions usually do not require any medical intervention but may require constant monitoring by your doctor. However, the severe cases will require a proper treatment. The treatment will involve treating the medical condition (preeclampsia, HHELP, SLE etc) which is causing the platelets to drop.
You may increase your low platelet count by following natural methods:
Though consuming foods that may help increase your platelet count may seem like a good idea, but it is recommended to seek your doctor’s advice before making any dietary changes.
Though most cases of thrombocytopenia do not pose a serious threat to you or your unborn child, however, if you have been diagnosed with this condition, it is important that you get the apt treatment for the same. Timely detection and treatment of your condition will reduce the chances of complications.