Pregnancy is one of the most blessed and memorable journeys a woman takes. However, many medical conditions can pose problems in this beautiful journey, and a few, like Antiphospholipid Syndrome, can even cut short the journey by causing miscarriage, stillbirths, and other obstetric complications.
What is Antiphospholipid Syndrome, how does it impact pregnancy, and how is it treated to make the pregnancy journey more safe and secure? We posed these common questions about Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS) to the best gynaecologist in Mumbai, Dr. Neelima Mantri. Read on to know her answers.
What is Antiphospholipid Syndrome?
Hughes syndrome, also known as Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS), is an autoimmune disorder that triggers abnormal blood clotting in the body. An APS patient’s immune system mistakenly produces a specific antibody that attacks phospholipids, which play a crucial role in blood clotting and cell function.
These antibodies ultimately increase the risk of blood clots forming in our veins and arteries. This increased tendency of blood clotting can have implications throughout the body, causing severe problems like deep vein thrombosis (DVT), strokes, and pulmonary embolism.
Antiphospholipid Syndrome & Pregnancy:
This Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS), which can have severe implications in an average person, can have even worse consequences for pregnant women:
Increased Risk of Blood Clots: APS, as said above, increases the chance of blood clots, which amplifies the risk of thrombosis, where the blood clot inside the vessel blocks the blood flow, leading to potentially serious complications. “This increased clotting is especially problematic during pregnancy as it can block the blood flow to the placenta, endangering the life of the foetus,” says the top gynaecologist in Mumbai, Dr. Neelima Mantri.
Stillbirths and Preterm Births: The risk posed by APS increases the chance of stillbirths, especially in the second and third trimesters. This condition also increases the risk of preterm birth, which increases complications for the baby.
Recurrent Pregnancy Loss: APS antibodies regularly may interfere with the normal development of the placenta. So, women with undiagnosed and unmanaged APS will suffer recurrent pregnancy loss in the early stages of pregnancy.
Antiphospholipid Syndrome – Diagnosis and Treatment during Pregnancy:
Diagnosis of APS usually involves blood tests to detect the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies and tests to evaluate the impact of blood clotting. Once considered, the gynaecologist, by considering other vital factors, devise a tailored treatment approach to prevent the risk of blood clots and adequately manage the associated complications.
The treatment for Antiphospholipid Syndrome involves a combination of various medications that prevent blood clotting, combined with close and careful monitoring. The primary goal of the treatment is to prevent blood clots, improve blood flow to the placenta, and reduce the risk of other pregnancy complications. “Blood thinner medications and close ultrasound monitoring are the two pillars of APS treatment,” says leading gynaecologist and obstetrician in Mumbai, Dr. Neelima Mantri.
“For women with APS who are looking to get pregnant, we conduct a thorough medical examination and evaluation and optimize the medication regimen according to the outlook of the condition. Obstetricians, rheumatologists, and haematologists work together to manage the APS syndrome. By taking risk factors and previous pregnancy outcomes into account, we tailor and individualize treatment plans for patients with APS to ensure a safe and successful pregnancy,” says Dr. Neelima Mantri, who specializes in treating APS in pregnant women. For more information about treatment for Antiphospholipid Syndrome in Mumbai, you can contact her here.