- A disorder resulting to a deficiency of clothing ability secondary to vascular injury / excessive trauma.
- Risk factors include:
1. Abruptio placenta
2. Retention of dead fetus
3. Toxemia
4. Saline abortion
5. Amniotic fluid retention
6. Placental retention
7. Septic abortion
- DIC occurs when there is extreme bleeding and so many platelet fibrin from the general circulation are used that there are not enough left for clotting, making it an emergency situation.
- Management:
- To stop DIC, determine then address the underlying cause. (e.g. When a complication of pregnancy is the cause, stop pregnancy by delivering the fetus.
- Intravenous administration of heparin. Extra caution should be observed when administering heparin due to the risk of post-partal hemorrhage.
- Blood transfusion is necessary but is delayed until after heparin has been administered.
- Fresh frozen plasma, fibrinogen, or cryoprecipitate may also be administered.
- Give relevant explanation and instructions to woman such as why an anticoagulant is ordered to treat her bleeding condition. Explain that this is to counteract the risk for hemorrhage by releasing tied-up coagulation factors.