2024 exceptional surveillance of antenatal care (NICE guideline NG201)
New published evidence considered in this exceptional surveillance review
Previous surveillance review
Non-applicable. This is a topic area that has not been prioritised in the guideline scope.
Ongoing studies
No ongoing studies were identified.
Budget impact/Economic considerations
End of life care for pregnant women presents financial challenges due to the need for specialised maternal and fetal care, which can increase healthcare costs. This financial burden may affect the stability and quality of life for family members, underscoring the need for targeted healthcare policies to better support these women and their families.
System impact
The system impact includes increased strain on hospital resources, the need for specialised care, and the necessity for highly trained healthcare professionals.
Population impact
In the UK, indirect maternal deaths, which are deaths from pre-existing medical conditions or conditions that develop during pregnancy but are not directly caused by it, account for a significant portion of maternal mortality. According to the latest MBRRACE-UK report, indirect deaths make up about 58% of all maternal deaths. This highlights the importance of comprehensive healthcare that addresses both pregnancy related and non-pregnancy related health issues.
Health inequalities
There is evidence from the MBRRACE report that women from marginalised groups (e.g., Black, Asian, those from deprived areas) face worse maternal health outcomes due to systemic barriers. These include delayed diagnoses, limited access to high quality care, and less timely treatment. For terminally ill women, especially those pregnant, these factors likely exacerbate the challenges, leading to delayed recognition of their condition and more complications with end of life care planning.
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