In line with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance, the current version of the Saving Babies' Lives Care Bundle, published April 2025, recommends that carbon monoxide testing is offered for all women at antenatal booking and the 36-week antenatal appointment, and additionally at every antenatal appointment for the groups identified in NICE Guideline 209, which includes women who "tested with 4 parts per million or above at the first antenatal appointment".

As part of the routine review process for each update to the Care Bundle, relevant national guidance, including NICE and Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists guidelines, alongside evidence and best practice are assessed to determine whether any changes are required. Scoping has not yet begun on a new version of the Saving Babies Lives Care Bundle.

We recognise the importance of tackling blood clots in pregnancy, also referred to as venous thromboembolism (VTE), as the leading cause of maternal death in England. The rate of maternal deaths from thrombosis and thromboembolism rose substantially between 2009 to 2011 and 2021 to 2023, from 1.26 to 2.13 per 100,000, in maternity, with rising rates of maternal obesity, advanced maternal age, and births by caesarean section likely contributing factors.

VTE is thought to occur in approximately one of 500 pregnancies, and the approach to minimising risk has therefore focused on universal risk assessment, targeted information, and preventative treatment for those considered to be at high risk. Last year, Mothers and Babies: Reducing Risk through Audits and Confidential Enquiries across the UK identified the need for improved VTE risk assessment, better pathways for rapid access to thromboprophylaxis in early pregnancy, and more robust training for clinicians.

NHS England published the Maternal Care Bundle in January 2026, with the aim to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity and reduce inequalities in these adverse outcomes. Element 1 requires the National Health Service to implement a new, simplified, national self-assessment questionnaire on VTE risk, for all women at their first NHS care contact with a positive pregnancy test, and ensure that those considered at highest risk have a discussion with a prescriber, and are offered low molecular weight heparin within 72 hours. Services have been asked through Element 1 of the Maternal Care Bundle to adopt Thrombosis UK’s early pregnancy blood clot risk questionnaire, which has information on the risk of VTE in pregnancy. All NHS trusts providing maternity services are responsible for fully implementing the Maternal Care Bundle by March 2027. This includes providing regular reports to the trust board on implementation.

All midwives are trained to discuss VTE symptoms with all women at the first contact in pregnancy and through to postnatal contacts, as part of the standard assessment process. Clinical guidance that directs their training includes the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s postnatal care guidance, reference code NG194, and Venous thromboembolism in over 16s: reducing the risk of hospital-acquired deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, reference code NG89.

Baroness Amos’ final report of her independent National Investigation into Maternity and Neonatal Services in England has recommended that the NHS commissions and delivers ‘antenatal education that reflects the realities of pregnancy and birth today’. The Government will work with the national Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce on the response to this recommendation, including on information women require regarding the risk of VTE.

Locally, some individual trusts also produce additional information for women and their families about reducing the risk of blood clots and VTE in pregnancy.

We recognise the importance of tackling blood clots in pregnancy, also referred to as venous thromboembolism (VTE), as the leading cause of maternal death in England. The rate of maternal deaths from thrombosis and thromboembolism rose substantially between 2009 to 2011 and 2021 to 2023, from 1.26 to 2.13 per 100,000, in maternity, with rising rates of maternal obesity, advanced maternal age, and births by caesarean section likely contributing factors.

VTE is thought to occur in approximately one of 500 pregnancies, and the approach to minimising risk has therefore focused on universal risk assessment, targeted information, and preventative treatment for those considered to be at high risk. Last year, Mothers and Babies: Reducing Risk through Audits and Confidential Enquiries across the UK identified the need for improved VTE risk assessment, better pathways for rapid access to thromboprophylaxis in early pregnancy, and more robust training for clinicians.

NHS England published the Maternal Care Bundle in January 2026, with the aim to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity and reduce inequalities in these adverse outcomes. Element 1 requires the National Health Service to implement a new, simplified, national self-assessment questionnaire on VTE risk, for all women at their first NHS care contact with a positive pregnancy test, and ensure that those considered at highest risk have a discussion with a prescriber, and are offered low molecular weight heparin within 72 hours. Services have been asked through Element 1 of the Maternal Care Bundle to adopt Thrombosis UK’s early pregnancy blood clot risk questionnaire, which has information on the risk of VTE in pregnancy. All NHS trusts providing maternity services are responsible for fully implementing the Maternal Care Bundle by March 2027. This includes providing regular reports to the trust board on implementation.

All midwives are trained to discuss VTE symptoms with all women at the first contact in pregnancy and through to postnatal contacts, as part of the standard assessment process. Clinical guidance that directs their training includes the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s postnatal care guidance, reference code NG194, and Venous thromboembolism in over 16s: reducing the risk of hospital-acquired deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, reference code NG89.

Baroness Amos’ final report of her independent National Investigation into Maternity and Neonatal Services in England has recommended that the NHS commissions and delivers ‘antenatal education that reflects the realities of pregnancy and birth today’. The Government will work with the national Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce on the response to this recommendation, including on information women require regarding the risk of VTE.

Locally, some individual trusts also produce additional information for women and their families about reducing the risk of blood clots and VTE in pregnancy.

We recognise the importance of tackling blood clots in pregnancy, also referred to as venous thromboembolism (VTE), as the leading cause of maternal death in England. The rate of maternal deaths from thrombosis and thromboembolism rose substantially between 2009 to 2011 and 2021 to 2023, from 1.26 to 2.13 per 100,000, in maternity, with rising rates of maternal obesity, advanced maternal age, and births by caesarean section likely contributing factors.

VTE is thought to occur in approximately one of 500 pregnancies, and the approach to minimising risk has therefore focused on universal risk assessment, targeted information, and preventative treatment for those considered to be at high risk. Last year, Mothers and Babies: Reducing Risk through Audits and Confidential Enquiries across the UK identified the need for improved VTE risk assessment, better pathways for rapid access to thromboprophylaxis in early pregnancy, and more robust training for clinicians.

NHS England published the Maternal Care Bundle in January 2026, with the aim to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity and reduce inequalities in these adverse outcomes. Element 1 requires the National Health Service to implement a new, simplified, national self-assessment questionnaire on VTE risk, for all women at their first NHS care contact with a positive pregnancy test, and ensure that those considered at highest risk have a discussion with a prescriber, and are offered low molecular weight heparin within 72 hours. Services have been asked through Element 1 of the Maternal Care Bundle to adopt Thrombosis UK’s early pregnancy blood clot risk questionnaire, which has information on the risk of VTE in pregnancy. All NHS trusts providing maternity services are responsible for fully implementing the Maternal Care Bundle by March 2027. This includes providing regular reports to the trust board on implementation.

All midwives are trained to discuss VTE symptoms with all women at the first contact in pregnancy and through to postnatal contacts, as part of the standard assessment process. Clinical guidance that directs their training includes the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s postnatal care guidance, reference code NG194, and Venous thromboembolism in over 16s: reducing the risk of hospital-acquired deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, reference code NG89.

Baroness Amos’ final report of her independent National Investigation into Maternity and Neonatal Services in England has recommended that the NHS commissions and delivers ‘antenatal education that reflects the realities of pregnancy and birth today’. The Government will work with the national Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce on the response to this recommendation, including on information women require regarding the risk of VTE.

Locally, some individual trusts also produce additional information for women and their families about reducing the risk of blood clots and VTE in pregnancy.

We recognise the importance of tackling blood clots in pregnancy, also referred to as venous thromboembolism (VTE), as the leading cause of maternal death in England. The rate of maternal deaths from thrombosis and thromboembolism rose substantially between 2009 to 2011 and 2021 to 2023, from 1.26 to 2.13 per 100,000, in maternity, with rising rates of maternal obesity, advanced maternal age, and births by caesarean section likely contributing factors.

VTE is thought to occur in approximately one of 500 pregnancies, and the approach to minimising risk has therefore focused on universal risk assessment, targeted information, and preventative treatment for those considered to be at high risk. Last year, Mothers and Babies: Reducing Risk through Audits and Confidential Enquiries across the UK identified the need for improved VTE risk assessment, better pathways for rapid access to thromboprophylaxis in early pregnancy, and more robust training for clinicians.

NHS England published the Maternal Care Bundle in January 2026, with the aim to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity and reduce inequalities in these adverse outcomes. Element 1 requires the National Health Service to implement a new, simplified, national self-assessment questionnaire on VTE risk, for all women at their first NHS care contact with a positive pregnancy test, and ensure that those considered at highest risk have a discussion with a prescriber, and are offered low molecular weight heparin within 72 hours. Services have been asked through Element 1 of the Maternal Care Bundle to adopt Thrombosis UK’s early pregnancy blood clot risk questionnaire, which has information on the risk of VTE in pregnancy. All NHS trusts providing maternity services are responsible for fully implementing the Maternal Care Bundle by March 2027. This includes providing regular reports to the trust board on implementation.

All midwives are trained to discuss VTE symptoms with all women at the first contact in pregnancy and through to postnatal contacts, as part of the standard assessment process. Clinical guidance that directs their training includes the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s postnatal care guidance, reference code NG194, and Venous thromboembolism in over 16s: reducing the risk of hospital-acquired deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, reference code NG89.

Baroness Amos’ final report of her independent National Investigation into Maternity and Neonatal Services in England has recommended that the NHS commissions and delivers ‘antenatal education that reflects the realities of pregnancy and birth today’. The Government will work with the national Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce on the response to this recommendation, including on information women require regarding the risk of VTE.

Locally, some individual trusts also produce additional information for women and their families about reducing the risk of blood clots and VTE in pregnancy.

We recognise the importance of tackling blood clots in pregnancy, also referred to as venous thromboembolism (VTE), as the leading cause of maternal death in England. The rate of maternal deaths from thrombosis and thromboembolism rose substantially between 2009 to 2011 and 2021 to 2023, from 1.26 to 2.13 per 100,000, in maternity, with rising rates of maternal obesity, advanced maternal age, and births by caesarean section likely contributing factors.

VTE is thought to occur in approximately one of 500 pregnancies, and the approach to minimising risk has therefore focused on universal risk assessment, targeted information, and preventative treatment for those considered to be at high risk. Last year, Mothers and Babies: Reducing Risk through Audits and Confidential Enquiries across the UK identified the need for improved VTE risk assessment, better pathways for rapid access to thromboprophylaxis in early pregnancy, and more robust training for clinicians.

NHS England published the Maternal Care Bundle in January 2026, with the aim to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity and reduce inequalities in these adverse outcomes. Element 1 requires the National Health Service to implement a new, simplified, national self-assessment questionnaire on VTE risk, for all women at their first NHS care contact with a positive pregnancy test, and ensure that those considered at highest risk have a discussion with a prescriber, and are offered low molecular weight heparin within 72 hours. Services have been asked through Element 1 of the Maternal Care Bundle to adopt Thrombosis UK’s early pregnancy blood clot risk questionnaire, which has information on the risk of VTE in pregnancy. All NHS trusts providing maternity services are responsible for fully implementing the Maternal Care Bundle by March 2027. This includes providing regular reports to the trust board on implementation.

All midwives are trained to discuss VTE symptoms with all women at the first contact in pregnancy and through to postnatal contacts, as part of the standard assessment process. Clinical guidance that directs their training includes the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s postnatal care guidance, reference code NG194, and Venous thromboembolism in over 16s: reducing the risk of hospital-acquired deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, reference code NG89.

Baroness Amos’ final report of her independent National Investigation into Maternity and Neonatal Services in England has recommended that the NHS commissions and delivers ‘antenatal education that reflects the realities of pregnancy and birth today’. The Government will work with the national Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce on the response to this recommendation, including on information women require regarding the risk of VTE.

Locally, some individual trusts also produce additional information for women and their families about reducing the risk of blood clots and VTE in pregnancy.

We recognise the importance of tackling blood clots in pregnancy, also referred to as venous thromboembolism (VTE), as the leading cause of maternal death in England. The rate of maternal deaths from thrombosis and thromboembolism rose substantially between 2009 to 2011 and 2021 to 2023, from 1.26 to 2.13 per 100,000, in maternity, with rising rates of maternal obesity, advanced maternal age, and births by caesarean section likely contributing factors.

VTE is thought to occur in approximately one of 500 pregnancies, and the approach to minimising risk has therefore focused on universal risk assessment, targeted information, and preventative treatment for those considered to be at high risk. Last year, Mothers and Babies: Reducing Risk through Audits and Confidential Enquiries across the UK identified the need for improved VTE risk assessment, better pathways for rapid access to thromboprophylaxis in early pregnancy, and more robust training for clinicians.

NHS England published the Maternal Care Bundle in January 2026, with the aim to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity and reduce inequalities in these adverse outcomes. Element 1 requires the National Health Service to implement a new, simplified, national self-assessment questionnaire on VTE risk, for all women at their first NHS care contact with a positive pregnancy test, and ensure that those considered at highest risk have a discussion with a prescriber, and are offered low molecular weight heparin within 72 hours. Services have been asked through Element 1 of the Maternal Care Bundle to adopt Thrombosis UK’s early pregnancy blood clot risk questionnaire, which has information on the risk of VTE in pregnancy. All NHS trusts providing maternity services are responsible for fully implementing the Maternal Care Bundle by March 2027. This includes providing regular reports to the trust board on implementation.

All midwives are trained to discuss VTE symptoms with all women at the first contact in pregnancy and through to postnatal contacts, as part of the standard assessment process. Clinical guidance that directs their training includes the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s postnatal care guidance, reference code NG194, and Venous thromboembolism in over 16s: reducing the risk of hospital-acquired deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, reference code NG89.

Baroness Amos’ final report of her independent National Investigation into Maternity and Neonatal Services in England has recommended that the NHS commissions and delivers ‘antenatal education that reflects the realities of pregnancy and birth today’. The Government will work with the national Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce on the response to this recommendation, including on information women require regarding the risk of VTE.

Locally, some individual trusts also produce additional information for women and their families about reducing the risk of blood clots and VTE in pregnancy.

We recognise the importance of tackling blood clots in pregnancy, also referred to as venous thromboembolism (VTE), as the leading cause of maternal death in England. The rate of maternal deaths from thrombosis and thromboembolism rose substantially between 2009 to 2011 and 2021 to 2023, from 1.26 to 2.13 per 100,000, in maternity, with rising rates of maternal obesity, advanced maternal age, and births by caesarean section likely contributing factors.

VTE is thought to occur in approximately one of 500 pregnancies, and the approach to minimising risk has therefore focused on universal risk assessment, targeted information, and preventative treatment for those considered to be at high risk. Last year, Mothers and Babies: Reducing Risk through Audits and Confidential Enquiries across the UK identified the need for improved VTE risk assessment, better pathways for rapid access to thromboprophylaxis in early pregnancy, and more robust training for clinicians.

NHS England published the Maternal Care Bundle in January 2026, with the aim to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity and reduce inequalities in these adverse outcomes. Element 1 requires the National Health Service to implement a new, simplified, national self-assessment questionnaire on VTE risk, for all women at their first NHS care contact with a positive pregnancy test, and ensure that those considered at highest risk have a discussion with a prescriber, and are offered low molecular weight heparin within 72 hours. Services have been asked through Element 1 of the Maternal Care Bundle to adopt Thrombosis UK’s early pregnancy blood clot risk questionnaire, which has information on the risk of VTE in pregnancy. All NHS trusts providing maternity services are responsible for fully implementing the Maternal Care Bundle by March 2027. This includes providing regular reports to the trust board on implementation.

All midwives are trained to discuss VTE symptoms with all women at the first contact in pregnancy and through to postnatal contacts, as part of the standard assessment process. Clinical guidance that directs their training includes the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s postnatal care guidance, reference code NG194, and Venous thromboembolism in over 16s: reducing the risk of hospital-acquired deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, reference code NG89.

Baroness Amos’ final report of her independent National Investigation into Maternity and Neonatal Services in England has recommended that the NHS commissions and delivers ‘antenatal education that reflects the realities of pregnancy and birth today’. The Government will work with the national Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce on the response to this recommendation, including on information women require regarding the risk of VTE.

Locally, some individual trusts also produce additional information for women and their families about reducing the risk of blood clots and VTE in pregnancy.

We recognise the importance of tackling blood clots in pregnancy, also referred to as venous thromboembolism (VTE), as the leading cause of maternal death in England. The rate of maternal deaths from thrombosis and thromboembolism rose substantially between 2009 to 2011 and 2021 to 2023, from 1.26 to 2.13 per 100,000, in maternity, with rising rates of maternal obesity, advanced maternal age, and births by caesarean section likely contributing factors.

VTE is thought to occur in approximately one of 500 pregnancies, and the approach to minimising risk has therefore focused on universal risk assessment, targeted information, and preventative treatment for those considered to be at high risk. Last year, Mothers and Babies: Reducing Risk through Audits and Confidential Enquiries across the UK identified the need for improved VTE risk assessment, better pathways for rapid access to thromboprophylaxis in early pregnancy, and more robust training for clinicians.

NHS England published the Maternal Care Bundle in January 2026, with the aim to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity and reduce inequalities in these adverse outcomes. Element 1 requires the National Health Service to implement a new, simplified, national self-assessment questionnaire on VTE risk, for all women at their first NHS care contact with a positive pregnancy test, and ensure that those considered at highest risk have a discussion with a prescriber, and are offered low molecular weight heparin within 72 hours. Services have been asked through Element 1 of the Maternal Care Bundle to adopt Thrombosis UK’s early pregnancy blood clot risk questionnaire, which has information on the risk of VTE in pregnancy. All NHS trusts providing maternity services are responsible for fully implementing the Maternal Care Bundle by March 2027. This includes providing regular reports to the trust board on implementation.

All midwives are trained to discuss VTE symptoms with all women at the first contact in pregnancy and through to postnatal contacts, as part of the standard assessment process. Clinical guidance that directs their training includes the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s postnatal care guidance, reference code NG194, and Venous thromboembolism in over 16s: reducing the risk of hospital-acquired deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, reference code NG89.

Baroness Amos’ final report of her independent National Investigation into Maternity and Neonatal Services in England has recommended that the NHS commissions and delivers ‘antenatal education that reflects the realities of pregnancy and birth today’. The Government will work with the national Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce on the response to this recommendation, including on information women require regarding the risk of VTE.

Locally, some individual trusts also produce additional information for women and their families about reducing the risk of blood clots and VTE in pregnancy.

We recognise the importance of tackling blood clots in pregnancy, also referred to as venous thromboembolism (VTE), as the leading cause of maternal death in England. The rate of maternal deaths from thrombosis and thromboembolism rose substantially between 2009 to 2011 and 2021 to 2023, from 1.26 to 2.13 per 100,000, in maternity, with rising rates of maternal obesity, advanced maternal age, and births by caesarean section likely contributing factors.

VTE is thought to occur in approximately one of 500 pregnancies, and the approach to minimising risk has therefore focused on universal risk assessment, targeted information, and preventative treatment for those considered to be at high risk. Last year, Mothers and Babies: Reducing Risk through Audits and Confidential Enquiries across the UK identified the need for improved VTE risk assessment, better pathways for rapid access to thromboprophylaxis in early pregnancy, and more robust training for clinicians.

NHS England published the Maternal Care Bundle in January 2026, with the aim to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity and reduce inequalities in these adverse outcomes. Element 1 requires the National Health Service to implement a new, simplified, national self-assessment questionnaire on VTE risk, for all women at their first NHS care contact with a positive pregnancy test, and ensure that those considered at highest risk have a discussion with a prescriber, and are offered low molecular weight heparin within 72 hours. Services have been asked through Element 1 of the Maternal Care Bundle to adopt Thrombosis UK’s early pregnancy blood clot risk questionnaire, which has information on the risk of VTE in pregnancy. All NHS trusts providing maternity services are responsible for fully implementing the Maternal Care Bundle by March 2027. This includes providing regular reports to the trust board on implementation.

All midwives are trained to discuss VTE symptoms with all women at the first contact in pregnancy and through to postnatal contacts, as part of the standard assessment process. Clinical guidance that directs their training includes the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s postnatal care guidance, reference code NG194, and Venous thromboembolism in over 16s: reducing the risk of hospital-acquired deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, reference code NG89.

Baroness Amos’ final report of her independent National Investigation into Maternity and Neonatal Services in England has recommended that the NHS commissions and delivers ‘antenatal education that reflects the realities of pregnancy and birth today’. The Government will work with the national Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce on the response to this recommendation, including on information women require regarding the risk of VTE.

Locally, some individual trusts also produce additional information for women and their families about reducing the risk of blood clots and VTE in pregnancy.

We recognise the importance of tackling blood clots in pregnancy, also referred to as venous thromboembolism (VTE), as the leading cause of maternal death in England. The rate of maternal deaths from thrombosis and thromboembolism rose substantially between 2009 to 2011 and 2021 to 2023, from 1.26 to 2.13 per 100,000, in maternity, with rising rates of maternal obesity, advanced maternal age, and births by caesarean section likely contributing factors.

VTE is thought to occur in approximately one of 500 pregnancies, and the approach to minimising risk has therefore focused on universal risk assessment, targeted information, and preventative treatment for those considered to be at high risk. Last year, Mothers and Babies: Reducing Risk through Audits and Confidential Enquiries across the UK identified the need for improved VTE risk assessment, better pathways for rapid access to thromboprophylaxis in early pregnancy, and more robust training for clinicians.

NHS England published the Maternal Care Bundle in January 2026, with the aim to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity and reduce inequalities in these adverse outcomes. Element 1 requires the National Health Service to implement a new, simplified, national self-assessment questionnaire on VTE risk, for all women at their first NHS care contact with a positive pregnancy test, and ensure that those considered at highest risk have a discussion with a prescriber, and are offered low molecular weight heparin within 72 hours. Services have been asked through Element 1 of the Maternal Care Bundle to adopt Thrombosis UK’s early pregnancy blood clot risk questionnaire, which has information on the risk of VTE in pregnancy. All NHS trusts providing maternity services are responsible for fully implementing the Maternal Care Bundle by March 2027. This includes providing regular reports to the trust board on implementation.

All midwives are trained to discuss VTE symptoms with all women at the first contact in pregnancy and through to postnatal contacts, as part of the standard assessment process. Clinical guidance that directs their training includes the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s postnatal care guidance, reference code NG194, and Venous thromboembolism in over 16s: reducing the risk of hospital-acquired deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, reference code NG89.

Baroness Amos’ final report of her independent National Investigation into Maternity and Neonatal Services in England has recommended that the NHS commissions and delivers ‘antenatal education that reflects the realities of pregnancy and birth today’. The Government will work with the national Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce on the response to this recommendation, including on information women require regarding the risk of VTE.

Locally, some individual trusts also produce additional information for women and their families about reducing the risk of blood clots and VTE in pregnancy.

We recognise the importance of tackling blood clots in pregnancy, also referred to as venous thromboembolism (VTE), as the leading cause of maternal death in England. The rate of maternal deaths from thrombosis and thromboembolism rose substantially between 2009 to 2011 and 2021 to 2023, from 1.26 to 2.13 per 100,000, in maternity, with rising rates of maternal obesity, advanced maternal age, and births by caesarean section likely contributing factors.

VTE is thought to occur in approximately one of 500 pregnancies, and the approach to minimising risk has therefore focused on universal risk assessment, targeted information, and preventative treatment for those considered to be at high risk. Last year, Mothers and Babies: Reducing Risk through Audits and Confidential Enquiries across the UK identified the need for improved VTE risk assessment, better pathways for rapid access to thromboprophylaxis in early pregnancy, and more robust training for clinicians.

NHS England published the Maternal Care Bundle in January 2026, with the aim to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity and reduce inequalities in these adverse outcomes. Element 1 requires the National Health Service to implement a new, simplified, national self-assessment questionnaire on VTE risk, for all women at their first NHS care contact with a positive pregnancy test, and ensure that those considered at highest risk have a discussion with a prescriber, and are offered low molecular weight heparin within 72 hours. Services have been asked through Element 1 of the Maternal Care Bundle to adopt Thrombosis UK’s early pregnancy blood clot risk questionnaire, which has information on the risk of VTE in pregnancy. All NHS trusts providing maternity services are responsible for fully implementing the Maternal Care Bundle by March 2027. This includes providing regular reports to the trust board on implementation.

All midwives are trained to discuss VTE symptoms with all women at the first contact in pregnancy and through to postnatal contacts, as part of the standard assessment process. Clinical guidance that directs their training includes the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s postnatal care guidance, reference code NG194, and Venous thromboembolism in over 16s: reducing the risk of hospital-acquired deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, reference code NG89.

Baroness Amos’ final report of her independent National Investigation into Maternity and Neonatal Services in England has recommended that the NHS commissions and delivers ‘antenatal education that reflects the realities of pregnancy and birth today’. The Government will work with the national Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce on the response to this recommendation, including on information women require regarding the risk of VTE.

Locally, some individual trusts also produce additional information for women and their families about reducing the risk of blood clots and VTE in pregnancy.

We recognise the importance of tackling blood clots in pregnancy, also referred to as venous thromboembolism (VTE), as the leading cause of maternal death in England. The rate of maternal deaths from thrombosis and thromboembolism rose substantially between 2009 to 2011 and 2021 to 2023, from 1.26 to 2.13 per 100,000, in maternity, with rising rates of maternal obesity, advanced maternal age, and births by caesarean section likely contributing factors.

VTE is thought to occur in approximately one of 500 pregnancies, and the approach to minimising risk has therefore focused on universal risk assessment, targeted information, and preventative treatment for those considered to be at high risk. Last year, Mothers and Babies: Reducing Risk through Audits and Confidential Enquiries across the UK identified the need for improved VTE risk assessment, better pathways for rapid access to thromboprophylaxis in early pregnancy, and more robust training for clinicians.

NHS England published the Maternal Care Bundle in January 2026, with the aim to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity and reduce inequalities in these adverse outcomes. Element 1 requires the National Health Service to implement a new, simplified, national self-assessment questionnaire on VTE risk, for all women at their first NHS care contact with a positive pregnancy test, and ensure that those considered at highest risk have a discussion with a prescriber, and are offered low molecular weight heparin within 72 hours. Services have been asked through Element 1 of the Maternal Care Bundle to adopt Thrombosis UK’s early pregnancy blood clot risk questionnaire, which has information on the risk of VTE in pregnancy. All NHS trusts providing maternity services are responsible for fully implementing the Maternal Care Bundle by March 2027. This includes providing regular reports to the trust board on implementation.

All midwives are trained to discuss VTE symptoms with all women at the first contact in pregnancy and through to postnatal contacts, as part of the standard assessment process. Clinical guidance that directs their training includes the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s postnatal care guidance, reference code NG194, and Venous thromboembolism in over 16s: reducing the risk of hospital-acquired deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, reference code NG89.

Baroness Amos’ final report of her independent National Investigation into Maternity and Neonatal Services in England has recommended that the NHS commissions and delivers ‘antenatal education that reflects the realities of pregnancy and birth today’. The Government will work with the national Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce on the response to this recommendation, including on information women require regarding the risk of VTE.

Locally, some individual trusts also produce additional information for women and their families about reducing the risk of blood clots and VTE in pregnancy.

We recognise the importance of tackling blood clots in pregnancy, also referred to as venous thromboembolism (VTE), as the leading cause of maternal death in England. The rate of maternal deaths from thrombosis and thromboembolism rose substantially between 2009 to 2011 and 2021 to 2023, from 1.26 to 2.13 per 100,000, in maternity, with rising rates of maternal obesity, advanced maternal age, and births by caesarean section likely contributing factors.

VTE is thought to occur in approximately one of 500 pregnancies, and the approach to minimising risk has therefore focused on universal risk assessment, targeted information, and preventative treatment for those considered to be at high risk. Last year, Mothers and Babies: Reducing Risk through Audits and Confidential Enquiries across the UK identified the need for improved VTE risk assessment, better pathways for rapid access to thromboprophylaxis in early pregnancy, and more robust training for clinicians.

NHS England published the Maternal Care Bundle in January 2026, with the aim to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity and reduce inequalities in these adverse outcomes. Element 1 requires the National Health Service to implement a new, simplified, national self-assessment questionnaire on VTE risk, for all women at their first NHS care contact with a positive pregnancy test, and ensure that those considered at highest risk have a discussion with a prescriber, and are offered low molecular weight heparin within 72 hours. Services have been asked through Element 1 of the Maternal Care Bundle to adopt Thrombosis UK’s early pregnancy blood clot risk questionnaire, which has information on the risk of VTE in pregnancy. All NHS trusts providing maternity services are responsible for fully implementing the Maternal Care Bundle by March 2027. This includes providing regular reports to the trust board on implementation.

All midwives are trained to discuss VTE symptoms with all women at the first contact in pregnancy and through to postnatal contacts, as part of the standard assessment process. Clinical guidance that directs their training includes the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s postnatal care guidance, reference code NG194, and Venous thromboembolism in over 16s: reducing the risk of hospital-acquired deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, reference code NG89.

Baroness Amos’ final report of her independent National Investigation into Maternity and Neonatal Services in England has recommended that the NHS commissions and delivers ‘antenatal education that reflects the realities of pregnancy and birth today’. The Government will work with the national Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce on the response to this recommendation, including on information women require regarding the risk of VTE.

Locally, some individual trusts also produce additional information for women and their families about reducing the risk of blood clots and VTE in pregnancy.

Significant progress has been made across England in recent years, as specialist perinatal mental health services are now available in all areas in England. In addition, Maternal Mental Health Services provide specialist care for women with moderate/severe or complex mental health conditions arising from birth trauma, tokophobia, or loss in the maternity/neonatal context.

In the 12-month rolling period ending May 2026, 66,580 people were in contact with specialist perinatal mental health community services. This is a 3% increase on the same period in 2025, in which 64,789 people were in contact with specialist perinatal mental health community services. However, we know there is work to do to ensure all women receive timely access to the care they need.

We recognise the importance of tackling blood clots in pregnancy, also referred to as venous thromboembolism (VTE), as the leading cause of maternal death in England. The rate of maternal deaths from thrombosis and thromboembolism rose substantially between 2009 to 2011 and 2021 to 2023, from 1.26 to 2.13 per 100,000, in maternity, with rising rates of maternal obesity, advanced maternal age, and births by caesarean section likely contributing factors.

VTE is thought to occur in approximately one of 500 pregnancies, and the approach to minimising risk has therefore focused on universal risk assessment, targeted information, and preventative treatment for those considered to be at high risk. Last year, Mothers and Babies: Reducing Risk through Audits and Confidential Enquiries across the UK identified the need for improved VTE risk assessment, better pathways for rapid access to thromboprophylaxis in early pregnancy, and more robust training for clinicians.

NHS England published the Maternal Care Bundle in January 2026, with the aim to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity and reduce inequalities in these adverse outcomes. Element 1 requires the National Health Service to implement a new, simplified, national self assessment questionnaire on VTE risk, for all women at first NHS care contact with a positive pregnancy test, and ensure that those considered at highest risk have a discussion with a prescriber, and are offered low molecular weight heparin within 72 hours. Services have been asked through Element 1 of the Maternal Care Bundle to adopt Thrombosis UK’s early pregnancy blood clot risk questionnaire, which has information on the risk of VTE in pregnancy. All NHS trusts providing maternity services are responsible for fully implementing the Maternal Care Bundle by March 2027. This includes providing regular reports to the trust board on implementation.

All midwives are trained to discuss VTE symptoms with all women at the first contact in pregnancy and through to postnatal contacts, as part of the standard assessment process. Clinical guidance that directs their training includes the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s postnatal care guidance, reference code NG194, and Venous thromboembolism in over 16s: reducing the risk of hospital-acquired deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, reference code NG89.

Baroness Amos’ final report of her independent National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation in England has recommended that the NHS commissions and delivers ‘antenatal education that reflects the realities of pregnancy and birth today’. The Government will work with the national Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce on the response to this recommendation, including on information women require regarding the risk of VTE. We will consider how the Mothers and Babies: Reducing Risk through Audits and Confidential Enquiries across the UK’s recommendations feed into this work. We have committed to publishing a national action plan that translates the recommendations into action by December 2026.

Locally, some individual trusts also produce information about reducing the risk of blood clots and VTE in pregnancy.

We recognise the importance of tackling blood clots in pregnancy, also referred to as venous thromboembolism (VTE), as the leading cause of maternal death in England. The rate of maternal deaths from thrombosis and thromboembolism rose substantially between 2009 to 2011 and 2021 to 2023, from 1.26 to 2.13 per 100,000, in maternity, with rising rates of maternal obesity, advanced maternal age, and births by caesarean section likely contributing factors.

VTE is thought to occur in approximately one of 500 pregnancies, and the approach to minimising risk has therefore focused on universal risk assessment, targeted information, and preventative treatment for those considered to be at high risk. Last year, Mothers and Babies: Reducing Risk through Audits and Confidential Enquiries across the UK identified the need for improved VTE risk assessment, better pathways for rapid access to thromboprophylaxis in early pregnancy, and more robust training for clinicians.

NHS England published the Maternal Care Bundle in January 2026, with the aim to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity and reduce inequalities in these adverse outcomes. Element 1 requires the National Health Service to implement a new, simplified, national self assessment questionnaire on VTE risk, for all women at first NHS care contact with a positive pregnancy test, and ensure that those considered at highest risk have a discussion with a prescriber, and are offered low molecular weight heparin within 72 hours. Services have been asked through Element 1 of the Maternal Care Bundle to adopt Thrombosis UK’s early pregnancy blood clot risk questionnaire, which has information on the risk of VTE in pregnancy. All NHS trusts providing maternity services are responsible for fully implementing the Maternal Care Bundle by March 2027. This includes providing regular reports to the trust board on implementation.

All midwives are trained to discuss VTE symptoms with all women at the first contact in pregnancy and through to postnatal contacts, as part of the standard assessment process. Clinical guidance that directs their training includes the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s postnatal care guidance, reference code NG194, and Venous thromboembolism in over 16s: reducing the risk of hospital-acquired deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, reference code NG89.

Baroness Amos’ final report of her independent National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation in England has recommended that the NHS commissions and delivers ‘antenatal education that reflects the realities of pregnancy and birth today’. The Government will work with the national Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce on the response to this recommendation, including on information women require regarding the risk of VTE. We will consider how the Mothers and Babies: Reducing Risk through Audits and Confidential Enquiries across the UK’s recommendations feed into this work. We have committed to publishing a national action plan that translates the recommendations into action by December 2026.

Locally, some individual trusts also produce information about reducing the risk of blood clots and VTE in pregnancy.

Studies show that iodine deficiencies in pregnant women can result in complications for their children, including impaired foetal growth and psychomotor development. Recent studies have shown that iodine levels among women of reproductive age in the UK are only 82 micrograms per litre, with 30% of women recording levels below 50, but World Health Organisation guidance says that pregnant women are iodine deficient if they have less than 150 micrograms. The last governmental review into iodine deficiency was in 2014. Will the Secretary of State ensure that a new review is urgently commissioned?

I thank the hon. Lady for raising that important point and drawing attention to the impacts that iodine deficiency can have. I am happy to look into the matter further and respond to her in writing.