Haematologic (Blood) Conditions in Pregnancy

Learn more about pregnancy care for patients with a wide range of blood-related conditions.

Overview

Pregnancy hormones can create challenges for patients with blood disorders. If you have haematologic (blood) conditions, it is important to have specialized care during pregnancy.

Our maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) specialists are high-risk obstetricians who care for patients with haematologic and other health conditions including:

Sickle cell disease
Beta-thalassaemia
Anaemia (e.g., haemolytic, aplastic, iron deficiency)
Thromboembolism (blood clots)
Antiphospholipid syndrome
Polycythemia vera
Thrombocytosis
Thrombocytopenia, including immune thrombocytopenia (ITP)
Neutropenia
Haemophilia carrier status and other bleeding disorders
Paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria
Thrombocytopenic purpura
And many others

If you are not currently pregnant, we encourage you to talk to your family physician or haematologist before planning a pregnancy.

Our care

Learn more about the specialized care provided at Mount Sinai Hospital for Medical Disorders of Pregnancy.

This content is intended for informational purposes only and is not intended to be used or relied upon for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. It does not replace the need for consultation with a health-care professional. Please speak with your health-care professional for questions about your health.

Your pregnancy care

Our MFM specialists work closely work closely with haematologists who are specialists in blood-related conditions during pregnancy.

You will have prenatal appointments at the Medical Disorders of Pregnancy Clinic. Depending on your specific condition, you will also have appointments with a haematologist at Mount Sinai or at a nearby hospital.

If your blood condition could be inherited by your baby, you may be directed to our Prenatal Genetic Diagnosis Clinic for testing and counselling. You might also meet with our Pediatrics team to decide on a plan for newborn care after birth.

Patients may also visit our High-Risk OB Anesthesia Clinic to plan for pain management during labour and childbirth.

Treatment

Pregnancy challenges can vary based on your specific condition.

Pregnancy care will focus on managing your haematologic condition, while closely monitoring the health of both you and your baby.

It is important to us that you actively participate in decision-making about your care. We will help you understand your treatment options so that you can make the best possible decisions for both you and your baby.

Your care plan may include any of the following:

Anticoagulants (blood thinners) for patients at risk of blood clots
Steroids or intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) for some patients with immune thrombocytopenia
Low-dose aspirin for patients at risk of pre-eclampsia, a pregnancy-related blood pressure condition
Blood transfusions for patients with beta-thalassemia or aplastic anaemia
Exchange transfusions for patients with sickle cell disease (in specific circumstances)
Increased fetal monitoring
Birth planning that considers factors introduced by your blood condition

Labour and delivery

Our recommendations for your labour and delivery care may include any of the following:

Meeting with our Obstetric Anesthesia team
Planning a delivery date, which may include induction of labour or Caesarean section
Having a haematologist provide specific instructions for tests or medications around the time of birth
Monitoring your health throughout labour
Monitoring the health of your baby during labour and after birth, if necessary