Complications

Complication
Timeframe
Likelihood
short term
medium

All women with von Willebrand disease (VWD) are at increased risk of postpartum haemorrhage, especially delayed.[14] The reported prevalence of postpartum haemorrhage ranges from 5% to 40% in women with VWD, compared with a prevalence of 2% to 10% in women without VWD.[72]​

Tranexamic acid should be considered in the postpartum period, and patients should be reassured that it is safe to use if breastfeeding.[14][61]​

Postpartum haemorrhage

variable
low

Occurs rarely in patients with type 3 VWD; usually occurs in patients with large von Willebrand factor (VWF) gene deletions. May cause anaphylactic reactions to exogenous VWF. Successful treatment of bleeding with continuous infusion of factor VIII (recombinant or plasma derived) or with recombinant activated factor VII has been reported in these patients.[20][66]​

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