Publication:

Therapeutic phlebotomy in antenatal and postnatal period of pregnancy

Polycythemia during pregnancy is an uncommon but a high-risk condition that requires careful monitoring and individualized management to prevent maternal and fetal complications. This case report describes a pregnant woman diagnosed with polycythemia in the first trimester, managed successfully with therapeutic venesection under close monitoring. The procedure was well tolerated with no adverse effects on maternal or fetal health, and the pregnancy ended in the delivery of a healthy infant at term. A second venesection was performed postpartum due to persistent elevation of hematocrit. This case illustrates the safety and efficacy of venesection in pregnant patients with polycythemia, emphasizing the importance of multidisciplinary care and regular hematological evaluation throughout the antenatal and postpartum period.