Search

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) after vaginal delivery is a major cause of maternal mortality. The most recent Confidential Enquiries provided guidelines for thromboprophylaxis in vaginal deliveries. The aims of this study were (i) to determine the prevalence of risk factors for VTE in women delivering vaginally, and (ii) to implement a strategy of thromboprophylaxis in vaginal delivery. Information about risk factors for VTE and the use of postnatal thromboprophylaxis was collected prospectively from each woman delivering vaginally in our unit over a 10-week period. The Confidential Enquiries guidelines for thromboprophylaxis in vaginal deliveries were then introduced after an education programme. Women categorised as moderate or high risk for VTE were to receive enoxaparin. Adherence to the guideline was then audited over a further 10 weeks. During the initial audit, 262 women delivered vaginally. Fifty-seven (21%) of these women were categorised as either moderate or high risk for VTE, but only four women...