The last post was on anemia in pregnancy and hopefully it showed the importance of helping raise low hematocrit and hemoglobin levels in our pregnant patients.  We also showed how and why descending hematocrit and hemoglobin levels in later pregnancy are a key indicator of the healthy blood volume expansion and physiological hemo-dilution (not pathological!).

This next post and presentation is, in some ways, about a condition that is the opposite of anemia  and that is more common than we might think and much more dangerous.

With our pregnant patients, we must also be on the look out for hematocrits and hemoglobin levels that are too high or that don’t go down in later pregnancy.

Descending hematocrit and hemoglobin levels in later pregnancy are a key indicator of the healthy blood volume expansion and physiological hemo-dilution (not pathological!).

This apparent anemia is due to the fact that the plasma levels increase by %50 during pregnancy while the red blood cells increase by only 30%.  This dilution of blood, as we saw in the last presentation is necessary for the health of the placenta, mother and child.

In the following presentation (click here) I go into great detail regarding what can happen when the blood is too thick – when the normal hemo-dilution does not happen.  In addition, the presentation takes you through the important western and Chinese diagnostic methods and treatment.  There will be a strong focus on nutrition and Chinese herbs.  This presentation is a bit long so get your popcorn out, relax and enjoy!