Antenatal care

Impact of new evidence and intelligence

The current NICE guideline on antenatal care (NG201) does not specifically address the needs of terminally ill pregnant women, despite increasing recognition of the challenges they face. The latest MBRRACE report highlights instances where delayed recognition of deterioration and a focus on pregnancy have hindered timely end of life care, particularly for women from marginalised groups. This highlights the need for a statement that addresses the complexities of end of life care, recognising the importance of identifying deterioration, providing compassionate care, and ensuring equitable access to services for all women, regardless of their background. These topics are covered in the NICE guideline on end of life care for adults (NG142), which aims to ensure high quality end of life care, focusing on holistic care and the needs of individuals and their families.