Recommended practice | Outcome intended to reduce |
---|---|
Beneficial forms of care | Â |
Antibiotics for preterm prelabour rupture of membranes (pPROM)16 | Chorioamnionitis; neonatal sepsis |
Corticosteroids prior to preterm birth17 | Neonatal death; complications of preterm birth |
External cephalic version for breech presentation at term18 | Caesarean section rate; birth trauma |
Continuous support during labour19 | Caesarean section rate |
Magnesium sulphate for eclampsia and pre-eclampsia20,21,22 | Maternal death; eclampsia |
Active management of third stage of labour23 | Postpartum haemorrhage; maternal death |
Intraoperative antibiotics during caesarean section24 | Maternal infection |
Vacuum extraction (versus forceps) for operative delivery25 | Perineal injury; postpartum haemorrhage |
Immunisation for Hepatitis B26 | Hepatitis B infection |
Forms of care likely to be harmful | Â |
Routine episiotomy27 | Perineal injury; maternal infection |
Routine shaving* 28 | Maternal infection |
Routine enemas* 29 | Maternal infection |