Obstetrics & gynaecology · UKMLA & AKT
VTE in pregnancy and puerperium
A free high-yield preview for the UKMLA Applied Knowledge Test. Below are the key points to recognise vte in pregnancy and puerperium — the full SA Note notes add investigations, management, complications and 10 practice questions.
Key high-yield points
- VTE complicates ~1 in 1000 pregnancies; PE is a leading direct cause of maternal death in the UK
- Puerperium (6 weeks postpartum) carries the HIGHEST risk - 20-80x higher than non-pregnant women, higher than any individual trimester
- Left-sided DVT more common in pregnancy due to left iliac vein compression
The puerperium carries a HIGHER VTE risk than any trimester of pregnancy - a classic exam discriminator. Peak risk is the first week postpartum, especially after caesarean section.
Unlock the full VTE in pregnancy and puerperium revision
Get the complete high-yield notes (5 more sections covering investigations, management and complications), 10 practice questions, mock exams and AI tutoring. Start free.