Thromboembolism in pregnancy and the puerperium and inherited or acquired thrombophilia are associated. Thrombophilia can be revealed by pregnancy. Thrombotic risk during pregnancy and the puerperium is higher in asymptomatic women with than without thrombophilia. Antithrombin deficiency, combined deficiencies and homozygous or double-heterozygotes factor V Leiden and factor II G 20210 A mutations are associated with a higher thrombotic risk than heterozygote mutations or protein S and C deficiencies, whereas hyperhomocysteinemia does not appear as a risk factor for maternal thromboembolic disease. Antiphospholipid syndrome with lupus anticoagulant is strongly associated with thrombotic risk in pregnancy and the puerperium. Further studies are required to assess the thrombotic risk in women with preeclampsia as well as early or late recurrent pregnancy loss.