Venous thromboembolism (VTE), which includes deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), remains the leading direct cause of maternal death in the UK during pregnancy and up to six weeks after birth, according to the 2025 MBRRACE-UK Saving Lives, Improving Mothers’ Care report.

This Parliamentary campaign aims to raise awareness of VTE risk during pregnancy and the postpartum period, promote earlier risk assessment, and improve access to preventative care. By bringing together parliamentarians, healthcare professionals, patient organisations and maternity services, the campaign seeks to ensure that every pregnant woman receives timely information about blood clot risks, symptoms and prevention strategies.

The campaign supports the routine use of evidence-based VTE risk assessment throughout pregnancy and after birth, including the promotion of the Thrombosis UK Early Pregnancy Blood Clot Risk Assessment Tool, which helps identify women at increased risk before their first booking appointment. Early recognition, appropriate thromboprophylaxis and prompt treatment can save lives and reduce avoidable maternal harm.

Campaign objectives:

• Increase public and professional awareness of VTE in pregnancy and postpartum.
• Promote early and repeated VTE risk assessment.
• Improve education on the signs and symptoms of DVT and PE.
• Support equitable access to thromboprophylaxis for women at increased risk.
• Reduce preventable maternal deaths from pregnancy-associated thrombosis.