Perinatal haematology clinic

Introduction

Pregnancy causes profound changes in a woman's blood circulation and clotting function that increase risks of deep venous thrombosis and other haematological complications. Genetic disorders of the blood such as thalassemia are also prevalent in our multicultural community. This interaction between the physiological haematological changes of pregnancy and pre-existing risk factors can lead to a need for specialist care during pregnancy. 

"Pregnancy and childbirth poses major challenges for women with bleeding and clotting disorders,” explains obstetric haematologist, Dr Lachie Hayes. “Outcomes are optimised for these women - and those with any major haematological disease- with a clinic combining obstetric, haematological and anaesthetic expertise.”

Our service

We offer pre-pregnancy advice and antenatal care for women with haematological conditions such as bleeding disorders, inherited thrombophilias, previous history of deep venous thromboembolism, haematological malignancies, severe anaemia or low platelets. We also offer genetic counselling, DNA testing and prenatal diagnosis for couples at risk of a baby with an inherited blood disorder, such as thalassemia major or sickle cell anaemia. Women who need day-stay admission for administration of intravenous therapy or fetal growth and well-being assessment can be looked after in our fetal surveillance unit on the day of this clinic. We can also perform ultrasound assessment of fetal growth and well-being in our clinic.

For clinicians - who can be referred?

This clinic is for women with an increased risk of thromboembolic disease requiring anticoagulation, women with thromboembolic disease during pregnancy, past or current haematological malignancy, inherited bleeding disorders such as Von Willebrands Disease, severe anaemia, and any other haematological condition likely to impact on the mother or baby during pregnancy and childbirth.

We also see couples at risk of having a baby with hemoglobinopathy, ideally before pregnancy, or early in pregnancy for genetic counselling, DNA testing, and prenatal diagnosis.