Blood Dyscrasias in Pregnancy

Postpartum hemorrhage remains one of the leading causes of maternal mortality worldwide, and its pathophysiology is complex and includes both dilutional and consumption characteristics. Factors VII, VIII, and X and fibrinogen levels are elevated in pregnancy creating a hypercoagulable state. Numerous causes for thrombocytopenia of pregnancy exist (defined as a platelet count of <150,000 × 106/L). Gestational thrombocytopenia accounts for 70–80% of isolated thrombocytopenia in pregnancy and is due to hemodilution and increased platelet destruction. The risk of an epidural hematoma was low (less than 0.2%) in parturients whose platelet count was greater than 70,000 × 106/L.