Hematologic Consultation During Pregnancy

Understanding and managing hematologic complications require physiologic understanding of changes occurring in females during pregnancy. Hormonal modifications account, at least in part, for volume expansion and red cell mass dilution resulting in anemia. However, carefully investigation of additional factors such as worsening iron deficiency is needed. Other complications involving thrombosis may occur in the context of increased venous stasis and coagulation factors deregulation. In this chapter, description of important hematologic complications is addressed to highlight important management steps.