Intrapartum Care: Updated Summary of NICE Guidance

( BMJ. 2024;384:p2885. doi: 10.1136/bmj.p2885) In 2021, there were around 650,000 births in England and Wales, mostly from straightforward pregnancies without complications. The care and advice regarding the place of birth, pain relief, and labor management significantly affect women’s overall birth experiences and health outcomes. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) issued intrapartum care guidelines in 2014 that were then updated in 2017. This article summarizes new and updated recommendations in 2023, highlighting those based on new evidence and emphasizes shared decision-making between women and health care professionals. These guidelines apply to all pregnant or postpartum individuals, regardless of gender identity. Recommendations are derived from systematic reviews and cost-effectiveness considerations, using GRADE criteria to assess evidence certainty.