A woman scheduled for a C-section has enough on her mind already, doesn’t she? A new baby, a new life, a new list of things to do. Does she also have to worry about an increased risk of blood clot development following a C-section? 

In some scenarios, a woman doesn’t even know she’ll need a C-section until the birth is imminent. In such cases, the flurry of activity doesn’t allow for too many questions. For those whose births are scheduled, preparation is the key to understanding the process and its associated risks. 

C-section and blood clot risk 

C-sections are often recommended when a baby is in distress, in an abnormal position, or the labor isn’t progressing as needed. Even though a C-section may be recommended and often vital for the optimal wellness of mother and baby, there are risks to the procedure. 

One of those risks is heavy bleeding during or following delivery, known as postpartum hemorrhage. For some women, C-sections increase the risk of blood clot development inside deep veins, especially those found in the pelvic organs or the legs, otherwise known as a deep vein thrombosis or DVT.  

A DVT poses a risk of breaking off and traveling to the lungs, blocking flow of oxygenated blood back to the heart. At that point, the blood clot is known as a pulmonary embolism. The damage it causes can be severe and potentially life-threatening. 

What’s the risk of developing a blood clot following a C-section? 

Blood clotting factors in the body are a natural process to stop bleeding from blood vessels and initiate healing processes. Among the most common causes of postpartum hemorrhage is an inability of the uterus to contract. These contractions naturally aid in stopping bleeding following the birth process. Retention of placental tissue and/or infection can also contribute to the potential for blood clots. 

While it’s not always possible to circumvent all risks involved in any surgical procedure, C-sections are relatively safe. Even so, if your physician determines that a scheduled C-section is the safest delivery method for you or your baby, be willing to ask questions, discuss risks, and what you can do to prevent blood clots prior to the procedure. 

Blood clotting is also a normal process following any type of invasive surgery where blood vessels may have been severed or otherwise injured or interfered with. Postsurgical or post C-section clotting is typically at its highest risk within six weeks postpartum, although clots can also occur during the following six weeks. In most cases, risks for developing a blood clot postpartum typically decreases following 12 weeks post-delivery. 

It should be noted that it is relatively normal for women to experience bleeding as well as to pass some blood clots post-partum as the uterus contracts and returns to its normal size. However, watch for signs of potential blood clotting dangers that include: 

• Rapid heart rate 
• Pain, warmth, or swelling and redness in one leg (potential signs of DVT) 

• Chest pain 
• Shortness of breath 
• Clammy or chilled skin 

If you’re pregnant and your doctor has recommended a C-section delivery, discuss concerns prior to the procedure and follow instructions for decreasing your risk of potential dangerous blood clots post-procedure.  

A definitive diagnosis of the presence of a blood clot can be performed at your doctor’s office or hospital setting. Depending on the suspected location of the blood clot and the type, a physician has a number of options at his or her disposal. Among them include: 

• Blood tests 
• CT scans 

• Ultrasounds 
• MRIs 

How do blood clot diagnostic tests work? 

In the case of a suspected pulmonary embolism (PE), your doctor or a physician will start with the physical exam, looking for signs of swelling, tenderness, discoloration or warmth in the legs. Why the legs when the pulmonary embolism is a blood clot found in the lung? Because pulmonary embolisms are commonly caused by a blood clot that has formed in the lower extremities or the thighs, known as a deep vein thrombosis or DVT.  

In some cases, the blood clot breaks off from the wall of the blood vessel of the leg and travels upward through the circulatory system. It may ends up lodged in one of the pulmonary or lung blood vessels. 

In such cases, a doctor will order numerous tests including chest x-rays or ultrasound. Blood tests may also be recommended in order to determine levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood. Blood tests also enable the physician to detect presence of D dimer, which is a protein fragment typically found in blood after a blood clot has been dissolved or broken down by the body. 

Computed tomography or CT scans may go a step further. In some cases a physician may recommend a computer tomographic angiography (CTPA) - a type of x-ray test that most physicians utilize to diagnose a pulmonary embolism. 

One of the most definitive test to determine presence of a pulmonary embolism is a test called a ventilation/perfusion scan, otherwise known as V/Q. This test involves insertion of a catheter into one of the large veins in the groin, and one into an artery that services the lung. A dye is injected into the catheter and will show up on an x-ray. In this way, the doctor can locate the blockage. 

Some blood clots that end up in the lungs can damage the heart due to lack of oxygen. In such cases, an echocardiogram may be recommended, otherwise known as a heart ultrasound. The echocardiogram or ECG is not used as a diagnostic test for PE, but it does show if the heart is being affected by the pulmonary embolism. 

In order to detect a deep vein thrombosis or DVT, a physician will also begin the diagnostic process through visual examination. One of the most common diagnosis tests for DVT diagnosis is the ultrasound, a technique that utilizes sound waves to create an image of arterial and venous flow in the affected leg.  

As with the PE, a D dimer test may also be recommended, as well as venography, which, like the V/Q test, utilizes a dye injected into a vein, enabling an image of the vein to be displayed on an x-ray to show if blood flow has slowed or stopped in the vein. 

Treatment options will depend on the testing results. 

Pulmonary embolism defines the sudden blockage of a pulmonary artery inside the lung by an embolus, typically from a blood clot that has an origin somewhere else in the body such as a deep vein thrombosis of the leg. When it comes to defining signs and symptoms of a pulmonary embolism, the distinction in terminology is important. Signs are visible, while symptoms are expressed by what a patient feels. 

The most common type of embolus traveling to the lungs is caused by a DVT that has become dislodged and travels upward until it reaches the lungs. 

A number of causes for blood clots forming in the lower extremities include prolonged bed rest, immobility from long journeys, or an injury, typically caused by fractures damages surrounding vessels and tissues. 

Signs of pulmonary embolism 

Awareness of potential signs and symptoms of pulmonary embolism enables (and encourages) individuals to seek medical attention. It should be noted that pulmonary embolisms are extremely serious situations and have the potential to cause death.  

Among the most common signs – something that someone can observe, when it comes to a pulmonary embolism include: 

• Shortness of breath – this shortness of breath or difficulty breathing typically comes on suddenly. Breathing may be rapid. 
• Response to anxiety (a symptom) that is viewed by pacing or verbal expressions of worry. 

• Responses to sudden, sharp pains in the chest, especially during inhalation. This pain is called pleuritic chest pain. 
• Seizures 
• Blue-tinged skin is an indication that oxygen deprivation is occurring. Bluish-tinged lips and fingertips are the first indication that the lungs are not oxygenating blood adequately. 
• Individuals who experience recurring (small) pulmonary emboli may also display swollen ankles or legs, and experience generalized weakness. 

Other indications of possible pulmonary embolism are expressed in symptoms such as complaints of lightheadedness. An individual may also complain about an erratic heart rate. 

A pulmonary embolism can also cause a pulmonary infarction, or lung tissue death. In such cases, seek emergency help immediately. Pulmonary infarction can trigger bouts of coughing that bring up bloody sputum. This emergency also causes severe and sharp chest pain. 

Prevention of pulmonary embolism 

Surgical procedures, blunt force injury and trauma, obesity, and inactivity all increase the risk of blood clots. A pulmonary embolism occurs when such clots break off and travel to the blood vessels serving the lungs, the heart, or the brain. Each may cause severe damage and even death. 

Prevention methodologies include adequate hydration, weight loss if needed, increased mobility (under physician supervision), and careful observance following any surgical procedure, long-term bed rest, or chronic illness. If you feel you are at risk for a pulmonary embolism, discuss signs, symptoms, diagnostics, and potential treatments with your physician. 

Foods that Help Prevent Blood Clots

Blood clots form for a number of reasons: a surgical procedure, obesity, a medical condition, or an injury. Blood thinning and anticoagulation medications are commonly prescribed to prevent blood clots for individuals at risk. In addition to medication, a number of foods prove beneficial in preventing the development of blood clots.

Blood clots are commonly formed as a normal process in the body known as coagulation. In some cases, blood clotting is essential to prevent excessive bleeding, to promote healing, and reduce the risk of infection. In other cases, a blood clot can be deadly.

A number of conditions increase the risk of developing a life-threatening blood clot, such as higher ratios of "bad" cholesterol than "good" cholesterol. High levels of triglycerides (a type of fat found in the blood) also increase risk of blood clot formation.

Higher than normal levels of bad cholesterol causes atherosclerosis or buildup of plaque inside artery walls. Plaque buildup narrows blood vessels, causing blood flow to slow down (much as a closed lane on a freeway), increasing the risk of developing a blood clot. A blood clot that breaks off and floats through the bloodstream can easily block an artery or cause a stroke, heart attack, or a pulmonary embolism (PE).

How can food prevent a blood clot?

A nutritious and well-balanced diet containing a variety of phytochemicals is the first step toward promoting circulation and arterial and venous blood flow. Phytochemicals are physiologically active compounds found in many plants. While not generally considered essential nutrients, they have shown benefits in reducing potential for heart disease and cancer.

Foods containing flavonoids and phenols may prove beneficial in clot prevention. Flavonoids reduce plaque buildup in arteries, improve cholesterol levels, act as antioxidants, and decrease inflammation. Foods and beverages containing flavonoids and phenols include:

• fruits (grapes, cherries, apples, prunes, pears, citrus)
• whole grains
• black or green tea
• nuts
• red wine

Phytoestrogens such as legumes and soy products protect against heart disease by decreasing levels of bad cholesterol and increasing levels of good cholesterol.

Organosulfur compounds such as leeks, onions, and garlic protect the heart because they reduce production of cholesterol in the liver.

Hydration is also an essential component of adequate circulation. Dehydration causes the blood to thicken, increasing risk of poor circulation and development of a blood clot.

Talk to your doctor or a nutritionist to ensure that your diet is protecting rather than harming you.

We’ve all felt it – that teeth-grinding muscle spasm in the arch of the foot, the back of the calf, or the back of the thigh (hamstrings). When do you know if that Charlie Horse is more than a muscle cramp? What if you get them often? How can you tell the difference between a Charlie Horse and a possible blot clot?

Charlie Horse vs. Blood Clot

A Charlie Horse is a nickname for a muscle spasm or cramp. This cramping or contraction of a muscle or group of muscles can be incredibly painful. Depending on the duration of a Charlie Horse, pain can be quite severe and soreness may exists for hours or even up to a day afterward.

A blood clot is known as a thrombus. Blood clots usually form over an injury to a blood vessel. Any time a blood vessel is injured, the body sends a signal to the brain. The brain then signals a rush of blood platelets and clotting factors to the area. Platelets are sticky blood cells that clump together to bind to the wall of the vessel to stop bleeding or leaking from a tear or injury to the wall of a blood vessel.

So which is it? A blood clot or a Charlie Horse?

Charlie Horses are caused by a number of situations, such as:

• A muscle injury
• Inadequate blood flow (blood transports oxygen – lack of blood flow decreases oxygen to the body’s cells in the affected area)
• Exercising in very hot or very cold weather
• Muscle strain or overuse
• Dehydration

Several of the above situations that trigger a Charlie Horse may also increase risk of blood clot development, especially dehydration and inadequate blood flow, such as remaining sedentary for long periods of time. Dehydration causes blood to thicken and blood flow to decrease, causing it to grow sluggish as it moves through the blood vessels. When blood flow slows down, an increased risk of blood particles sticking together to form clots occurs.

Experiencing a Charlie Horse once in a while is not usually a cause for concern. In many cases, they respond almost immediately to massage, stretching, or ‘walking it off’. However, if you experience a Charlie Horse more than once a week, it’s recommended to schedule a visit with your physician to determine the underlying cause.

In August of 2011 I was supposed to be packing for college. Leaving on a new adventure, getting my rite of passage. But, on move-in day, I was in an ambulance on my way to intensive care in one of my states largest and best hospitals instead.

I never knew the dangers of birth control. I simply walked into Planned Parenthood and said I needed some. (in no way do I blame them) It's too easy, we need to educate ourselves better.

Anyways, after I started taking birth control I developed blood clots in my legs. Then, unaware of what was brewing in my body, I went on an airplane for my vacation. By the time I got home my whole body was weakening. After two failed attempt at the ER, I finally was diagnosed with blood clots in my left leg, and lungs. I had two surgeries and spent a lot of time in intensive care.

Educating yourself about blood clots is the best thing you can do. I might be a little over educated now, and a little over paranoid, but I would rather be safe than sorry. 

I'll probably be on lovenox for the rest of my life, but I would rather inject myself twice a day than not have days to live!

Sydney Ormsby

1.  Click here to login or create an account with the form at the bottom of the page.
2.  Click on Settings on the right hand side of the screen.
3.  Make sure to fill out the User name field.
4.  Fill out the question on the form that says "I will commit to fundraising".  This is the dollar value that will be your goal. 
5.  Click Save Public Settings.
6.  Your public profile will be at http://bloodclot.nationbuilder.com/username  (the username you entered above).

Do C-Sections Increase The Risk Of Blood Clots?
Posted by Admin c · February 07, 2019 11:42 AM · 1 reaction

How Is Someone Tested For Blood Clots?
Posted by Admin c · February 07, 2019 11:11 AM · 1 reaction

What Are The Signs Of A Pulmonary Embolism?
Posted by Admin c · February 07, 2019 11:00 AM · 1 reaction

No one is immune from developing a blood clot, including active and healthy athletes.

Risk factors for athletes:

* Traveling long distances to participate in competitions. Sitting on a plane, car, or bus for more than four hours increases your risk of developing a blood clot.

* Dehydration
When athletes perform they sweat and can become dehydrated during strenuous activity. Dehydration increases blood's thickness, making it easier for blood clots to form.

* Injury
Athletes can break bones or suffer injuries. Wearing a cast or brace that is needed to stabilize the injury can result in immobility, which can lead to a higher risk of blood clots.

* Bone fracture or surgery

* Lower heart rate
Athletes who exercise and train heavily can have a lower than average heart rate and blood pressure. A lower heart rate and blood pressure may increase the risk for formation of a blood clot.

* Birth control and hormone replacement therapy increases the risk of DVT.


Preventing Blood Clots & DVT in Athletes:

* When traveling long distances, stop every couple of hours and walk around. It is important to stay mobile.
* Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
* Know your family medical history and learn the signs and symptoms of DVT and PE.
* Ask your doctor if you are someone who can take a daily aspirin. Aspirin works as a blood thinner.

The American Blood Clot Association began and took life when a much loved and very special lady lost her life unnecessarily to a blood clot.


Margaret "Margie" Cooper, a wife, mother, and grandmother was a very young vibrant 63 year old. One evening about dinner time she complained that she didn't feel well and was short of breath and her chest and back was starting to hurt. She was taken by ambulance to a local hospital where she passed away a few hours later from what was described as a massive pulmonary embolism(a blood clot in the lungs). Margie, a few weeks prior to her passing, had fallen and X-rays had shown a slight crack in her knee cap. A blood clot developed and traveled to her lungs, which sadly ended her life. Margie is the inspiration behind the American Blood Clot Association, and because of her, we hope to save thousands of lives. Remember, blood clots kill....know the signs...know the symptoms.