Women with blood disorders require specialized pregnancy care. Pregnancy hormones impact many hematologic conditions, causing an increased risk of blood clots with some disorders. Other blood conditions can result in increased bleeding at the time of delivery. Some women may require transfusions or frequent blood tests during and after the pregnancy. For many women, safe childbirth necessitates close, interdisciplinary care with complex plans for monitoring and treatment in labor.
Common Hematology Tests
Complete blood count (CBC), which includes:
- White blood cell count (WBC)
- Red blood cell count (RBC)
- Platelet count
- Hematocrit red blood cell volume (HCT)
- Hemoglobin concentration (HB). This is the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells.
- Differential white blood count
- Red blood cell indices (measurements)
To aid in diagnosing anemia, certain cancers of the blood, inflammatory diseases, and to monitor blood loss and infection
Platelet count (usually done as part of the CBC)
To diagnose and/or to monitor certain types of bleeding and clotting disorders.
Prothrombin time (PT), Partial Thromboplastin Time (PTT), International Normalized Ratio (INR)
To evaluate bleeding and clotting disorders and to monitor anticoagulation (anticlotting) therapies.
