Platelets, also called thrombocyotes, are a component of red blood cells. They are fragments of cytoplasm that are derived from the bone marrow and are essential for blood clotting. Blood clotting is exteremly important in pregnancy and labor and delivery to prevent excessive bleeding (hemorrhage).

Should a woman keep an eye on her platelet levels during pregnancy? The resounding answer is yes. Find out how and why platelets matter on this weeks episode of True Birth.

Key Highlights:

[01:54] What are platelets and how are they important to the body?

[05:55] What is the job of platelets in the body?

[06:35] What happens if you don't have good platelet function?

[07:50] The normal platelet count

[08:40] Causes of low platelets count during pregnancy

[09:37] #1 cause: haemodilution

[12:54] How women get misdiagnosed as having thrombocytopenia

[15:10] Different types of thrombocytopenia

[18:15] Why is it a problem to have platelets levels below 100k/ml?

[21:24] Paralysis during an epidural: why is it rare?

[24:32] Epidural alternatives

[25:30] Why cancer leads to low platelet levels.

[27:49] #2 cause: preeclampsia

[28:58] Some treatments to boost your platelets.

[32:03] Should you worry about DIC when you have low platelets?

[32:21] Can the baby also have low platelets?

[34:46] How to determine the baby's platelet levels

[38:14] What is alloimmune thrombocytopenia?

[40:49] Thrombocytosis and treatment

[42:43] Summary of the episode

[43:45] Do women on Heparin or Lovenox have to worry about low platelets?

[44:50] Is there anything you can do with your diet to increase your platelets?

[45:46] Why platelets transfusion is not recommended

[47:00] Does it mean you have low platelets if you regularly have nose or gum bleeds?

Notable Quotes

• Platelets are one of the most important things in the human body. Their job is to stop bleeding.
• Platelets' job is to keep blood where it's supposed to be and not let it escape when any damage occurs.
• 5-10% of women will have platelets under 150,000/ml just because they're pregnant.
• If you have a c-section and your platelets are 50,000/ml, you are in trouble. You might not stop bleeding from the surgery.
• The average platelets only last 7-10 days.
• Anything that's going to build your kidneys and bone marrow will build your platelets.

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