BMJ: Intrapartum care–updated summary of NICE guidance (29 January, 2024)

Summary

This BMJ article summarises a selection of new and updated recommendations within The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines on intrapartum care for healthy women and babies.

Content

What you need to know

• Consider a woman’s body mass index when planning place of birth, as the chance of needing interventions in labour varies across different BMI ranges
• Sterile water injections, remifentanil patient controlled analgesia, and programmed intermittent epidural boluses are all now recommended as pain relief options for women during labour
• Warm compresses or massage during the second stage of labour may prevent serious perineal tears and can be considered if appropriate for and acceptable to the woman