A survey of pregnant women on the use of graduated elastic compression stockings on the antenatal ward.

Pulmonary thromboembolism is the leading direct cause of maternal death in the UK. This direct approach structured questionnaire survey was carried out on 100 randomly chosen pregnant in-patients in a London teaching hospital: (a) to assess the quality and frequency of advice given to them by the healthcare professionals on the use of graduated elastic compression stockings (GECS) as a primary physical prophylaxis against venous thromboembolism (VTE) and (b) to find out the rate of compliance and the possible reasons for non-compliance of their use. The information and advice given to pregnant patients by healthcare professionals are generally of good-to-excellent quality, but not universally offered. A total of 40% of mothers wore the GECS all the time, while 38% did not wear them at all. Among the non-wearers, the two major groups were those who did not receive any advice (28%) and those who found them uncomfortable (18%). All healthcare professionals should be aware of the potential risks of VTE, and routinely educate and advise the pregnant women-at-risk on the use of GECS.