[ozmidwifery] NICE guidlines for C Section published

[Debbie Slater]

The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) in the UK have just published their CS guidelines.   Haven't studied them in detail (it's about 60 odd pages), but here are summaries of some of the points I picked up (I think):   CS should not be offered before 39 weeks; Women should be advised that a homebirth will reduce their risk of a section, but using midwifery-led units doesn't !!! Continous support in labour reduces risk of CS; Induction should not be offered until after 41 weeks; Maternal request should not be a reason for a section; Active managment and early amniotomy should not be offered, but a four hour partogram should be used !!; EFM increases the likelihood of a CS; Breech presentation should be offered ECV before a section is offered; Twin pregnancies should try vaginal birth if first twin is cephalic; VBAC should be supported Interestingly, it says there should be RCT's to compare vaginal birth and sections !!!   For the full guidelines - see http://www.nice.org.uk/Cat.asp?pn%20=public&cn=toplevel&ln=en   Debbie Perth, WA