Should pregnant women take anticoagulants?
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Anticoagulants, which thin the blood, are an effective way to treat and prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a condition for which pregnant women are at increased risk throughout pregnancy and for up to six weeks after pregnancy. However, one common blood thinner, warfarin, should not be prescribed to pregnant women. Pregnant women may be prescribed heparin, an injected anticoagulant.
Anticoagulants, which thin the blood, are an effective way to treat and prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a condition for which pregnant women are at increased risk throughout pregnancy and for up to six weeks after pregnancy. However, one common... More -
Dr. Deborah Raines of Honor Society of Nursing (STTI) answered:Anticoagulants have an important role in treating some conditions during pregnancy. However as with all medications, the use of anticoagulants during pregnancy should be used only under the supervision of a physician.
If the woman was taking anticoagulants for a condition before pregnancy, it is important to talk with the physician. While some anticoagulants are safe during pregnancy, others are not. In those situations the physician will switch the anticoagulant before the woman becomes pregnant or as soon as the pregnancy is diagnosed.
Anticoagulants have an important role in treating some conditions during pregnancy. However as with all medications, the use of anticoagulants during pregnancy should be used only under the supervision of a physician. If the woman was... More
