Briefing: Birthing outside of guidance

We have identified ‘birthing outside of guidance’ as a national learning theme through our maternity investigations. Between September 2018 and December 2023 we have made recommendations relating to birthing outside of guidance 33 times. 

We found there is limited national guidance to help clinical teams supporting women / birthing people who give birth outside of guidance. Our new safety briefing shares information we have gathered through our maternity safety investigations and aims to improve the safety of women / birthing people and their babies, should they birth outside of guidance.

The briefing shares our evidence and insight on this topic and provides prompts for maternity care providers to consider:

• If they have appropriate guidance in place to support maternity staff working with mothers / birthing people birthing outside of guidance
• If they have ensured mothers / birthing people have the information they need to make informed decisions about their care

We welcome any comments or feedback on this new approach to sharing insight and learning from our investigations. You can share your thoughts with us by emailing: enquiries@mnsi.org.uk.

You can read the full briefing document here.