[The coagulation and fibrinolysis activities of the blood during various phases of labor].

In a group of 20 women 22 parameters of the blood coagulation and fibrinolysis systems were separately determined during spontaneous delivery. An increased activity of the coagulation factors was observed except of the factors V, IX and XIII. Factor VIII activity in plasma increased slightly during stage II of labour, probably related to stress. Fibrinogen as well as the factors II, VII and X exhibited congruently slight post partum decrease, which can be interpreted as the result of an increased turnover of these factors. Plasminogen levels as well as antiplasmin activity increased; the total fibrinolysis activity was not significantly changed. The increase of fibrin-fibrinogen degradation products, however, indicated the occurrence of discrete fibrinolytic or fibrinogenolytic reactions. The thrombelastograms demonstrated a shift of the balance of pro- and anticoagulatory factors in favour of an increased blood coagulation activity during labour.