Although your bruises may turn out to be of no clinical concern, it’s essential that you arrange to see your doctor in the near future and explain your symptoms. One important possible cause of increased spontaneous bruising is a condition called thrombocytopenia. Thrombocytopenia is defined as a decrease in the number of platelet cells in the blood. Diagnosis comes from the history, medical examination and a blood analysis that shows low numbers of platelets. Platelets have an important role in the control of bleeding by filling any small holes that may arise in blood vessel walls. Therefore a reduction in their number results in the tendency to bleed, especially from the smaller blood vessels into the skin and other areas of the body. Thrombocytopenia can be caused by either too little production of platelets in the bone marrow or excessive destruction of circulating platelets. Fortunately, three quarters of women who develop a low platelet count during pregnancy have so called ‘pregnancy-associated’ or gestational thrombocytopenia, which is a benign condition, often with no adverse consequences for mother or baby. Other varieties of thrombocytopenia may require regular blood monitoring and treatment will depend upon the level of the platelet count and the stage and progress of the pregnancy.