A longitudinal study of platelet behaviour and thromboxane production in whole blood in normal pregnancy and the puerperium.

A longitudinal study of platelet behaviour (platelet aggregation and release reaction) in whole blood and of serum thromboxane B2 production was performed before, during and after normal pregnancy. The response of platelets to arachidonic acid and to adrenaline was significantly increased in the third trimester. Six weeks after delivery, values were still modestly increased but return to non-pregnant values was complete by 12 weeks. Serum thromboxane B2 production was unchanged throughout pregnancy and the puerperium.