“Sticky Blood” is a phrase we hear frequently from Doctors when we do our live instagrams and someone asks about implantation failure. But what is “Sticky Blood”? We turned to Dr Meric Karacan from IVF Turkey and asked him to explain
To begin with, let’s be clear about what implantation means:
Implantation failure refers to the inability of a fertilised embryo to successfully attach and implant in the lining of the uterus. After fertilisation, the embryo undergoes several stages of development before it reaches the uterus and seeks to implant itself in the endometrium, the inner lining of the uterus. Implantation is a crucial step in the process of pregnancy because it allows the embryo to establish a connection with the mother’s blood supply and receive necessary nutrients and oxygen for further growth.
However, in some cases, implantation may not occur or may be unsuccessful
There can be various reasons for implantation failure, including issues with the embryo itself (such as chromosomal abnormalities or poor embryo quality), problems with the endometrium (such as thin or insufficient lining), hormonal imbalances, abnormalities in the uterus or fallopian tubes, immune system disorders, or underlying medical conditions.
Failure to implant can also be caused by clotting problems, or “Sticky Blood”
Also known as hypercoagulability or thick blood, sticky blood refers to a condition where the blood has an increased tendency to clot. This can be caused by various factors such as genetic disorders, hormonal imbalances, or certain medical conditions.
In the context of implantation failure, sticky blood or hypercoagulability can potentially affect the successful attachment and development of an embryo in the uterus. When blood clots form excessively in the small blood vessels of the uterus, it can impair the blood flow to the developing embryo, limiting its access to essential nutrients and oxygen. This compromised blood supply can lead to implantation failure or even early pregnancy loss.
How do you know if you have sticky blood?
A history of previous incidents such as clogged veins in the legs or in the lungs may be signs of hypercoagulability, namely sticky blood.
A history of recurrent miscarriages or stillbirth may implicate a tendency to formation of blood clots in vessels. Some blood tests like anti-nuclear antibody, lupus anticoagulant, factor V Leiden mutation, prothrombin gene defect etc. are carried out to diagnose acquired or inherited coagulation disorders. These tests can be done prior to IVF to rule out sticky blood.
In case of diagnosis of “sticky blood” anti-coagulation medications i.e. heparin and aspirin may be used to prevent clog formation in vessels.
If you have any further questions about sticky blood or implantation, drop us a line at info@ivfbabble.com or get in touch with Dr Karacan by clicking here.
What crucial factors must be present in the body for successful implantation to occur?
