Fibrinolytic and antifibrinolytic activity in pregnancy

Fibrinolytic activity and serum antifibrinolysin were estimated in normal pregnant women, during and after labour. The decreased fibrinolytic activity found during labour returned to non-pregnant levels within 24 hours of delivery. During the same period, the serum antifibrinolysin was rapidly diminished. It is suggested that the post-partum increase in fibrinolytic activity to non-pregnant levels is due to alterations in the fibrinolytic system itself, as well as to changes in circulating antifibrinolysin.