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During pregnancy, a woman’s blood volume increases by 50%, mainly in the second trimester, to meet the needs of the uterus and fetus. Multiple fetuses increase blood volume by 5%, and there is a risk of congestive heart failure. Delicate tissues may be more prone to damage and bleeding.
During pregnancy, a woman’s blood volume generally increases by about 50% of its pre-pregnancy levels, with most of the increase occurring during the second trimester. This increase in blood is to help the body adjust to the increased need for blood in the uterus and the metabolic needs of the fetus. There is also an increased amount of blood being pumped to the organs, especially the kidneys. Varicose veins — swollen, dark-colored veins that develop on the legs — are common during late pregnancy and are caused by the extra volume of blood.
Read more about blood volume during pregnancy:
Blood volume tends to increase only slightly more for women who carry multiple fetuses, with an increase of about 5% more than for women who carry single fetuses.
The risk of congestive heart failure may be higher during pregnancy because the heart has to work harder to pump additional blood around the body.
The increased blood volume can make delicate tissues, such as the gums and small blood vessels in the nose, more prone to damage and more likely to bleed from a small amount of pressure.
