Guidance
Update information
September 2023: We have reviewed the evidence and made new recommendations on pain relief, regional analgesia, prelabour rupture of membranes, care in all stages of labour and postpartum care. We have also made new recommendations based on committee consensus. These recommendations are marked [2023].
We have also made some changes without an evidence review throughout the guideline. These recommendations are based on committee consensus and are marked [2007, amended 2023], [2014, amended 2023] or [2017, amended 2023].
Recommendations marked [2007], [2014] or [2017] last had an evidence review in 2007, 2014 or 2017, respectively. In some cases, minor changes have been made to the wording to bring the language and style up to date, without changing the meaning.
The section on monitoring in labour has been deleted and replaced with the NICE guideline on fetal monitoring in labour.
See also the previous NICE guideline and supporting documents and supplement 3: editorial changes.