ABSTRACT
High-risk women – defined as having three or more moderate factors, a personal family history of venous thromboembolism (VTE), major intercurrent disease, known thrombophilia or undergoing a caesarean hysterectomy – require heparin prophylaxis. (6 marks)
• Aspirin has no fetal side effects; however, there is the potential for maternal gastrointestinal bleeding. Low-molecular-weight heparin has no fetal side effects as it does not cross the placenta, and there is no evidence of maternal osteoporosis with longterm maternal use.
