At Thrombosis UK, we were delighted to see Alicia Kearns MP raise the vital issue of blood clot prevention and care during pregnancy through a series of detailed written parliamentary questions. Ensuring that women receive appropriate risk assessment, timely diagnosis, and effective prevention measures is essential, given that blood clots remain a leading cause of maternal death.

As an organisation dedicated to improving awareness and patient outcomes, we welcomed the opportunity for greater parliamentary scrutiny of this important issue. However, we were disappointed by the responses provided, which we feel did not fully address the challenges faced by women at risk of thrombosis during pregnancy and the postnatal period.

We remain committed to working with policymakers, healthcare professionals, and patients to improve awareness, prevention, and standards of care. We would welcome more detailed responses from Yvette Cooper MP and her new team. You can read the parliamentary questions and responses in full here: https://members.parliament.uk/member/4805/writtenquestions.

A woman who died a day after being discharged from hospital would have survived if a blood clot had been diagnosed and treated, a coroner has said.

This tragic case highlights the importance of self-advocacy in healthcare. If you are concerned about your care, feel your symptoms have not been fully heard, or need support to speak up, you have the right to ask questions, raise concerns, and seek a second opinion. Our webpage, Self Advocacy | Thrombosis UK, outlines practical steps you can take and where to find support.

Alicia Kearns MP said in a debate on healthcare in pregnancy following the Amos and Ockendon reports, on Tuesday 30^th June

“This week last year, I had multiple pulmonary emboli only a few weeks after giving birth. I am very grateful to Dr Laura Stephens, who saved my life and then was punished for ordering the test which found the emboli. Blood clots are the No. 1 cause of death in pregnant and post-partum women, and yet there is not a word about their risk in any pregnancy pack given out in this country. The national action plan will fail if it does not tackle blood clots as the No. 1 cause of maternal deaths. Will the Health Secretary kindly meet me and work with me, so that together we can save lives?”

A new study, external published by the British Journal of Sports Medicine, has found that taking five-minute breaks—referred to as “movement snacks”—every hour is one of the most effective and practical ways to improve wellbeing without reducing productivity.

Professor Beverley Hunt emphasised the importance of this advice: ‘We were thrilled to see this advice on the news as a result of research. The risk of DVT increases with prolonged sitting and sitting for hours immobile at work is not a good idea. We feel this advice is excellent to prevent DVT and also probably helps those with post thrombotic syndrome.’

Thrombosis UK is delighted to be partnering with NHS England to improve the prevention of blood clots in early pregnancy. This questionnaire is designed to help patients identify if they are at high risk of blood clots and give them the information required to discuss preventative anticoagulation with their healthcare professional.