Recommendation ID
NG192/01
Question

Short-term and long-term benefits and risks of planned caesarean birth compared to planned vaginal birth: What are the benefits and risks (short term and long term) of planned caesarean birth compared with planned vaginal birth at term for women and babies/infants/children?

Any explanatory notes
(if applicable)

Why this is important:
Information provided to women with low-risk pregnancies in relation to the short- and long-term benefits and risks of planned caesarean birth compared with planned vaginal birth should reflect the relevant risks during the antenatal period when a woman is planning mode of birth. Studies used to inform these discussions with women should be from 'intention to treat' type analyses. However this type of evidence is sparse for outcomes relevant to the early neonatal period and minimal for long-term outcomes and further research is needed.

For a short explanation of why the committee made the recommendation for research, see the rationale on benefits and risks of caesarean and vaginal birth .

Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review A: the benefits and risks of planned caesarean birth.


Source guidance details

Comes from guidance
Caesarean birth
Number
NG192
Date issued
March 2021

Other details

Is this a recommendation for the use of a technology only in the context of research? No  
Is it a recommendation that suggests collection of data or the establishment of a register?   No  
Last Reviewed 31/03/2022