Box 3.

Key messages for GPs

Women aged ≥45 years at risk of pregnancy should be counselled about their contraceptive choices. Pre-conceptual counselling and improving health prior to pregnancy and between pregnancies is essential to have a significant impact on maternal mortality and morbidity. Experiencing a stillbirth, miscarriage, or removal of a child is a risk factor for maternal suicide. New symptoms in pregnancy aren’t only pregnancy related; always consider alternative diagnoses. Identify women who need antenatal venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis using the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists risk assessment tool and refer for specialist input in first trimester. Have a low threshold to investigate for VTE, especially in the presence of abnormal signs. ‘Treat women who may become pregnant, are pregnant, or who have recently been pregnant the same as a non-pregnant person unless there is a very clear reason not to.’1