Study of platelet functions in pregnancy and puerperium according to parity

Normal pregnancy is characterized by profound changes in almost every organ system to accommodate the demands of the fetoplacental unit. It also associated with changes in all aspects of haemostasis, including increase in concentrations of most clotting factors, decreasing concentrations of some of the natural anticoagulants and diminishing fibrinolytic activity. So present study aimed at to study the platelet functions that is study the platelet count and bleeding time (Dacei et al., 1994) in pregnancy and puerperium according to parity in comparison to that of non pregnant of same age group. Here we found that the platelet count decreases and bleeding time increases in normal pregnancy possibly due to increased destruction and haemodilution with a maximal decrease in the third trimester than that of non pregnant. But immediately after delivery there is an increase in platelet count but the bleeding time decreases than that of non pregnant. In our study, difference in the study parameters are found in primi and multipara. So at the time of delivery post partum haemorrhage is common and after delivery that is during puerperium thromboembolism is a common complication. To minimize the complication, protocol should be there to evaluate the platelet functions during pregnancy and puerperium.