This remains the leading direct cause of maternal death in the United Kingdom.

Why Mothers Die 1997-1999. The fifth report of the Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Deaths in the United Kingdom
RCOG Press December 2001
http://www.cemd.org.uk

Includes key recommendations for prevention, diagnosis and management.

There were 31 deaths from pulmonary embolism and of those 13 were antepartum (8 in the first trimester). There has been a reduction in deaths after Caesarean section following guidelines in the 1994-96 Confidential Enquiry. Guidelines for thromboprophylaxis following vaginal delivery are included in the current report.

Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.
Throboembolic Disease in Pregnancy and the Puerperium: Acute Management. Guideline No 28. London RCOG; 2001.
http://www.rcog.org.uk/guidelines.asp?PageID=106&GuidelineID=20
Provides further information on acute management.

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