Deep Vein Thrombosis in the Puerperium: Affected Veins, Pregnancy Risk Factors, Clinical Features, Management and Prevention

An abnormal midwifery lecture on deep venous thrombosis as the formation of blood clots inside the venous cavity, usually in the lower limbs and usually manifesting in the first two weeks after delivery. It names the deep veins of the calf - the posterior and anterior tibial - and explains why pregnancy raises the risk through the hypercoagulable state, then takes the clinical features, the anticoagulant and supportive care with psychological reassurance, and the preventive measures: preventing trauma, sepsis and anaemia in pregnancy, leg exercise during delivery, elastic compression stockings and crepe bandages, avoiding dehydration, anti-embolic stockings for women with marked varicose veins and thromboembolic prophylaxis for the mothers at risk.