- A blood clot in the leg does not always cause symptoms, but when it does, there are a number of signs to look out for. Since a clot restricts blood flow, you may experience pain or swelling in the calf or thigh. Redness, warmth of the skin, or tenderness might also occur. One classic sign of DVT is pain while flexing your foot toward you.
- The symptoms of a pulmonary embolism are more severe, because a PE involves a clot lodged in the lung. It may cause shortness of breath, dizziness or lightheadedness, stabbing chest pain (especially when taking a deep breath), coughing up blood, anxiety/restlessness or a rapid pulse, often in addition to a low-grade fever. It's possible to develop a PE without experiencing the symptoms of a clot in the leg beforehand.
- The symptoms of a blood clot during pregnancy occur very suddenly. If you do experience symptoms with a DVT, they will become apparent very quickly but will most likely remain constant. In the case of a PE, symptoms can progress rapidly and become increasingly life-threatening the longer it goes untreated.
- Once you are under medical care, the pain or discomfort associated with blood clot symptoms can be alleviated fairly quickly. Though clots are generally treated with warfarin, this drug is not safe for pregnancy, so you will most likely be treated with heparin, an injectable anticoagulant or "blood thinner." Anticoagulants help improve circulation and keep the clot from breaking off or growing larger. Depending on the severity of the clot, however--especially if it traveled to the lung--symptoms may be debilitating and require a longer recovery time.
- Blood clots are very serious, especially during pregnancy, and require hospital care. Call your doctor and head to the emergency room if you have symptoms of a clot in the leg. If you experience any of the symptoms of pulmonary embolism, call 911 immediately. A PE can be fatal in just a short amount of time, so don't wait to seek medical attention.
