New proposals for NHS pregnancy care
Pregnant women who do not have complications should have fewer but more informative visits to their doctor, according to new advice.
A report by the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) claims that the number of check ups during pregnancy should be reduced from 14 to 10 for first pregnancies and seven for subsequent ones.
It said that routine tests for diabetes in pregnancy should end, but all pregnant women should be offered Down’s Syndrome screening.
The new national standards for the NHS in England and Wales are not aimed at cutting cost, NICE insists, but are aimed at ensuring that women with pregnancy complications receive more attention.
The guidelines represent the first major change to antenatal care since the 1920s. Hospitals will have to implement the recommendations, as they could affect star ratings and funding.
The guidance says that, although there should be fewer appointments, they should start earlier in pregnancy and ultrasound scans should also be provided earlier.
The guidance was put together by a team including midwives, obstetricians and patient group representatives from the National Collaborating Centre for Women’s and Children’s Health (NCCWCH).
Dr Maggie Blott, of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, added: “This guideline will help standardise the care of pregnant women across the country. It will act as a checklist for clinicians and women and inform women what to expect at appointments.”
