NICE clinical guidelines

National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines are applicable to England and Wales, and Northern Ireland is able to adopt them if they wish. There are a number of NICE guidelines that are relevant to the NCT’s work, listed below. Please note, the NCT does not routinely produce summaries of NICE guidelines.

Antenatal care guideline

In March 2008, the NICE Antenatal care guideline (updated) was published. They offer updated information on care during pregnancy, with a welcome emphasis on informed-decision making. Download the Antenatal care guidelines

Diabetes in pregnancy guideline

NICE also published the Diabetes in pregnancy guideline in March 2008. The Diabetes in pregnancy guideline offers valuable guidance to health professionals on how to help women manage their diabetes from before conception through to the period after they give birth.Download the Diabetes in pregnancy guideline

Intrapartum care guideline

NICE published the Intrapartum care guideline in July 2007. The detailed review of evidence compiled by the Women’s and Children’s Collaboration Centre to underpin the guideline is a very useful source of summarised evidence on many birth topics as they affect healthy women and their babies during labour and immediately after birth. Because of the significance of the Intrapartum care guidelines to the NCT’s work, we produced a policy briefing on it, and you can download it below.Download the Intrapartum care guideline

Induction of labour

In July 2008 NICE issued an updated version of their guidance on induction of labour (the previous version was inherited clinical guideline D). The key difference between the old and the new guideline is the emphasis on giving women information and allowing them to choose what option they want has been strengthened, which the NCT welcomes. For example, according to the Guidelines, women should be informed that most women will go into labour spontaneously by 42 weeks, and at the 38 week antenatal visit, all women should be offered consistent information about the risks associated with pregnancies that last longer than 42 weeks. The NCT feels that these guidelines will be reassuring to women as they make it clear that induction is not something they must have but something that can be ‘offered’ by their doctor or midwife.To download the Induction of labour guideline

Caesarean section

Published in April 2004, this guidance covers the information women can expect to receive from their doctor or midwife about caesarean section, the most common reasons why they might need to have a caesarean section, and the benefits and risks of having a baby by a caesarean section compared with a vaginal birth, among other things. Download the Caesarean section guidance

Routine anti-D prophylaxis for rhesus negative women (review of TA41)

NICE published this guideline in August 2008. Routine antenatal anti-D prophylaxis is recommended as a treatment option for all pregnant women who are RhD negative and who are not known to be 'sensitised'.To download the Routine anti-D guidelines

Postnatal care guideline

In July 2006 NICE published the Postnatal care guidelines, which covers the core care that every healthy woman and healthy baby should be offered during the first 6-8 weeks after the birth. Although for most women and babies the postnatal period is uncomplicated, care during this period needs to address any deviation from expected recovery after birth. This guideline gives advice on when additional care may be needed. Download the Postnatal care guideline

Antenatal and postnatal mental health: clinical management and service guidance

The advice published in 2007 in the NICE clinical guideline on mental health problems during pregnancy and after giving birth covers recognising mental health problems during pregnancy and in the first year after giving birth and the care and treatment (including drugs and psychological treatments) of women who develop a mental health problem during pregnancy or in the first year after giving birth, and women who have a higher chance of developing a problem at this time, among other things. Download the Antenatal and postnatal mental health guidance

Maternal and child nutrition

Issued In March 2008, this guidance aims to address disparities in the nutrition of low-income and other disadvantaged groups compared with the general population.To download Maternal and child nutrition guidelines

Division of ankyloglossia (tongue tie) for breastfeeding

Published in 2005, NICE issued full guidance to the NHS in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland on division of ankyloglossia (tongue tie) for breastfeeding.To download the Tongue tie guidelines

Neonatal jaundice guideline

In May 2010, NICE published the clinical guideline on neonatal jaundice. Jaundice is one of the most common conditions needing medical attention in newborn babies. Jaundice refers to yellow colouration of the skin and the sclerae and is caused by a raised level of bilirubin in the circulation, a condition known as hyperbilirubinaemia. Available from: http://guidance.nice.org.uk/CG98/Guidance/pdf/English

How to stop smoking in pregnancy and following childbirth guidance

In June 2010, NICE published public health guidance on quitting smoking in pregnancy and following childbirth. The guidance updates recommendations on smoking in NICE's clinical guideline on antenatal care. Available from: www.nice.org.uk/guidance/PH26

Donor breast milk banks: the operation of donor milk bank services guideline

NICE published clinical guidelines on donor breast milk banks in February 2010 and the guidance covers how milk banks should recruit, screen and support women who donate breast milk and how milk banks should handle and process the breast milk they receive from donors.

Available from: www.nice.org.uk/guidance/CG93