A pulmonary embolism is not necessarily a common condition during pregnancy, but pregnant people are 10 times more likely to develop it than the larger population.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a condition where a blood clot forms in your vein. This typically happens in one of your legs, but it can also occur in both of your legs.

If the clot breaks off and travels to your lungs, it can block a blood vessel there. This is called a pulmonary embolism, and it requires immediate medical attention.

You might first experience symptoms of DVT before it progresses to a pulmonary embolism. These include:

  • pain in the leg, usually at the back of your lower calf
  • swelling and tenderness in the leg
  • a heavy ache or warm skin in the affected area
  • worsened pain when you walk
  • redness or color changes at the back of your leg, below the knee

If the blood clot travels upward and blocks a blood vessel in your lungs, you’ll experience additional symptoms, including:

If you receive a diagnosis of pulmonary embolism during pregnancy, healthcare professionals will give you injections of a medication called heparin to stop the blood clot from getting bigger and allow your body time to dissolve it.

You usually need to have the injections for the rest of your pregnancy and until at least 6 weeks after delivery. You are still at risk of blood clots 6 weeks after birth, so continuing treatment is important.

Some factors may increase your risk of blood clots during pregnancy. These include:

  • prolonged immobility from bed rest or travel longer than 4 hours
  • a family history of blood clots
  • overweight or obesity
  • smoking
  • pregnancy with multiple babies
  • fertility treatments
  • diabetes
  • heart and lung conditions

There are a few things you can do to lower your risk of blood clots, including:

  • staying hydrated
  • keeping active for as long as you can
  • performing simple leg exercises when sitting for prolonged periods, such as when you’re on a flight
  • wearing compression stockings

For more advice on how to lower your risk of blood clots or whether you need any extra monitoring or medications, talk with your doctor.