Women with multiple risk factors for venous thromboembolism should be considered for postnatal thromboprophylaxis. Those with four or more risk factors are usually recommended 6 weeks of postnatal thromboprophylaxis however individual risk assessment should be carried out.

Risk factors

• Previous VTE
• Thrombophilia
• Medical comorbidities (e.g. cancer, heart failure, systemic inflammatory conditions)
• Age >35
• BMI >30
• Parity >3
• Smoking
• Multiple pregnancy
• Pre-eclampsia
• Caesarean section
• Prolonged labour
• Operative delivery
• Preterm birth
• Stillbirth
• Postpartum haemorrhage >1000mL
• Other surgical procedure carried out
• Immobility
• Systemic infection