Background Venous thromboembolism (VTE), although rare, is a major cause of maternal
mortality and morbidity, and methods of prophylaxis are therefore often used for women
considered to be at risk. This may include women who have given birth by caesarean
section, those with a personal or family history of VTE and women with inherited or acquired
thrombophilias (conditions that predispose people to thrombosis). Many methods of
prophylaxis carry risks of adverse effects, and as the risk of VTE is often low, it is possible …

Background Venous thromboembolic disease (TED), although very rare, is a major cause of
maternal mortality and morbidity, hence methods of prophylaxis are often used for women at
risk. This may include women delivered by caesarean section, those with a personal or
family history of TED and women with inherited or acquired thrombophilias (conditions that
predispose people to thrombosis). Many methods of prophylaxis carry a risk of side effects,
and as the risk of thromboembolic disease is low, it is possible that the benefits of …