Thromboprophylaxis in pregnancy: a practical guide for the obstetrician

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) in pregnancy remains a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. As rates of pregnancy in women with additional risk factors and underlying diagnoses continue to rise, it is crucial that all obstetricians understand how to approach thromboprophylaxis at all stages of pregnancy. In this review we seek to provide a roadmap to understanding the physiology, pathology and pharmacology of VTE in pregnancy for the obstetrician in order to facilitate a greater understanding of how to best support all women at risk of VTE throughout their pregnancy journey from pre-conception to post-natally. Recent developments and emerging evidence to support changes in practice are explored as well as consideration of some more complex scenarios and discussion of ethical considerations in the hope of providing a comprehensive overview of the subject.