Intrapartum care - management and delivery of care to women in labour

Date published:  September 2007
State: Published

About 600,000 women give birth in England and Wales each year. Most of these women are healthy and have a straightforward pregnancy. An estimated 47% of deliveries were described as 'normal deliveries' in England in 2002-2003. (Normal delivery is defined as that without surgical intervention, use of instruments, induction, epidural or general anaesthetic.)

The guideline provides information for healthcare professionals and women about care of healthy women and their babies during childbirth, including:

  • The appropriate site of delivery, including home, midwife and consultant led units, and taking geographical factors into account;
  • Appropriate interventions that should be offered; and
  • Interventions that should not be part of standard practice.

For general enquiries about this guideline please email: enquiries@ncc-wch.org.uk

Full Guideline

NICE Guideline

Information for the Public

Forest Plots

Evidence Tables

Updated 27 February 2008