Changes in the coagulation system during pregnancy

Extensive alterations of the coagulation system occur during pregnancy: Inc reasing levels of coagulation factors and continuous decrease of coagulatio n inhibitor protein S contribute to the increase of prothrombotic potential . Moreover, enhanced activation of coagulation factors, platelets and fibri nolytic system can be demonstrated by determination of activation parameter s like prothrombin fragment F 1+2, beta -thromboglobulin and D-dimer. The alterations in the coagulation system are one cause for the enhanced th romboembolic risk during pregnancy.