Postnatal care

Summary

The NICE clinical guideline on postnatal care 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.

Documents

For healthcare professionals

• CG37 Postnatal care - full guideline, appendix E
• CG37 Postnatal care - full guideline, appendix D
• CG37 Postnatal care - full guideline, appendix C
• CG37 Postnatal care - full guideline, appendix B
• CG37 Postnatal care - full guideline, appendix A
• CG37 Postnatal care - full guideline
• CG37 Postnatal care - NICE guideline (word)
• CG37 Postnatal care - NICE guideline
• CG37 Postnatal care - Quick reference guide

For patients, carers and the public

• CG37 Postnatal care - information for the public (word)
• CG37 Postnatal care - information for the public

Background information

• 2006/036 New NICE guidelines on postnatal care will give babies best start in life

Implementing this guidance

Any further information NICE has produced to help the NHS implement this guideline locally is linked to below:

• CG37 Postnatal care: Implementation advice
• CG037 Postnatal care: Presenter slides
• CG37 Postnatal care: costing template
• CG37 Postnatal care: national cost impact report

Implementation lead