What factor increases the risk of venous thrombosis during pregnancy?

Increased blood factor V is a significant risk factor for venous thrombosis during pregnancy due to its role in the coagulation cascade. Factor V is a crucial protein that helps in the formation of blood clots by promoting the conversion of prothrombin to thrombin, which is essential for clot development. During pregnancy, various changes occur in a woman's body, including hormonal changes and increases in certain clotting factors, which enhance the blood's coagulability to reduce the risk of hemorrhage during delivery. However, this hypercoagulable state can also lead to an increased risk of venous thrombosis, especially when factor V levels are elevated.

Higher levels of factor V can make the blood more prone to clotting and contribute to conditions such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which is a serious complication that can result in mobility issues or pulmonary embolism if the clot dislodges and travels to the lungs. This understanding highlights the importance of monitoring coagulation factors during pregnancy, especially in women with known risk factors for thrombosis.