Programs and Services

Pregnancy Coagulation Clinic

The Pregnancy Coagulation Clinic is one of the only of its kind in the country directed by a dedicated hematologist and maternal fetal medicine specialist. These specialists help women with clotting and bleeding disorders have the best chance of achieving a healthy pregnancy.

Having a clotting or a bleeding disorder does not mean you can’t have a successful pregnancy. It does mean you need the best care available and close management of your health and the health of your fetus. The Maternal Fetal Care Center’s Pregnancy Coagulation Clinic has the resources, expertise, technology and experience to help you through your high-risk pregnancy.

Our integrated program with specialized nursing and a comprehensive approach allows for constant interaction among sub-specialists. Because everything is in one place, we’re able to offer truly coordinated care. Our reputation for expert specialized care attracts patients from throughout Wisconsin, the Midwest and across the country.

We offer risk assessment for women who:

Have a history of previous blood clots, whether related to pregnancy or not
Take anti-coagulation drugs
Have a history of prior pregnancy complications (e.g., early labor, delayed fetal development, preeclampsia, recurrent miscarriages and other complications)
Have had blood-clotting events or stroke during their current pregnancy
Have known clotting disorders or bleeding disorders

Our risk assessment includes:

A careful review of your personal and family medical history
A physical examination
Blood testing for known clotting disorders
An evaluation of the risk of future complications
Recommendations for care, including labor and delivery and postpartum care
Counseling, discussion and explanation of your condition and care plan
Management and monitoring of the care plan

Because a high-risk pregnancy can be stressful, we are here to answer your questions about your condition, pregnancy and health care needs. We want to put you at ease as much as possible so you can focus on taking care of yourself and your unborn baby.

Counseling is a key component of the care we offer. Whether its preconception counseling to help a family make the best possible plan for pregnancy from the start, or helping a family through a current high-risk pregnancy, we give you all the information you need, provide all the options available for care, answer your questions and help you make informed care choices.

During counseling, we discuss many topics, including:

Genetic questions and concerns
Risks your children and other family members may face
Lifestyle advice related to clotting disorders beyond your pregnancy
How to talk to family members about your condition

Blood clotting disorders are common — 15 percent of the population is affected by a clotting disorder, whether it is hereditary or acquired. One hereditary clotting disorder in particular — Factor V Leiden — affects 5 percent of the general population, and most people with this disorder aren’t aware they have it.

Pregnancy alone increases the risk of developing a blood clot by 5 percent in normal women. The risk of developing a blood clot rises dramatically in pregnant women with a known clotting disorder.

These facts highlight the need for appropriate, closely monitored care during a high-risk pregnancy. Having a clotting disorder doesn’t mean you can never have a baby. It just means you need the specialized, integrated, comprehensive care that we can provide like no one else can.

Even with a high-risk pregnancy due to a clotting or bleeding disorder, we work closely with your own obstetrician/gynecologist to co-manage your care. You may not even need to be seen in our clinic — a consultation with your obstetrician/gynecologist may be all that is necessary to create an appropriate plan for your pregnancy care. In the majority of cases, your obstetrician/gynecologist will be the one to deliver your baby, along with our assistance, advice and recommendations.

Date: Dec. 15, 2006

Online Editor(s): Christopher Sadler