Caesarean section

• National Institute for Health and Care Excellence •

1. Pregnant women who have had 1 or more previous caesarean sections have a documented discussion of the option to plan a vaginal birth.
2. Pregnant women who request a caesarean section (when there is no clinical indication) have a documented discussion with members of the maternity team about the overall risks and benefits of a caesarean section compared with vaginal birth.
3. Pregnant women who request a caesarean section because of anxiety about childbirth are referred to a healthcare professional with expertise in perinatal mental health support.
4. Pregnant women who may require a planned caesarean section have consultant involvement in decision-making.
5. Pregnant women having a planned caesarean section have the procedure carried out at or after 39 weeks 0 days, unless an earlier delivery is necessary because of maternal or fetal indications.
6. Women being considered for an unplanned caesarean section have a consultant obstetrician involved in the decision.
7. Women in labour for whom a caesarean section is being considered for suspected fetal compromise are offered fetal blood sampling to inform decision-making.
8. Women who have had a caesarean section are offered a discussion and are given written information about the reasons for their caesarean section and birth options for future pregnancies.
9. Women who have had a caesarean section are monitored for postoperative complications.

full quality standards including quality measures avaliable from…
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, MidCity Place
Tel – http://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/qualitystandards/qualitystandards.jsp

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Quality Standards Programme: Caesarean section. June 2013