Antenatal Care
Antenatal care: trimester tests & visit schedule
IN REVIEWv3🇮🇳 India-firstPENDING CLINICAL VERIFICATION
Plan at least 8 WHO antenatal contacts: 1 in the first trimester, 2 in the second and 5 in the third, with extra reviews for risk or symptoms. Use the trimester tables for booking tests, scheduled repeats, scan windows and the India glucose-testing method; give every result a follow-up plan.
Reviewer note: Medication regimens and dependent emergency instructions checked 17 October 2026. Trimester investigations and visit-calendar detail checked 18 October 2026. These targeted checks do not certify every statement in the module. Admission/discharge guidance checked 18 October 2026. This adds a scoped clinical synthesis and does not certify every statement in the module.
Clinical detail
Additional detail checked 2026-10-18 against the linked sources. This check covers the section below; the rest of the module retains its displayed verification status.
Plan the visit dates and investigation windows together. The WHO baseline is at least eight antenatal contacts for an uncomplicated pregnancy, with extra care for identified risks. The first, second and third trimester tables below distinguish booking tests, scheduled repeats and investigations triggered by a particular finding.
| Contact | When | Focus / arrange before the next contact |
|---|---|---|
1 · First trimester | As soon as pregnancy is known; within the first 12 weeks | Booking history/examination, baseline tests and early screening choices; arrange a dated scan/screening appointment rather than waiting until the next routine visit. |
2 · Second trimester | 20 weeks | Review booking results and structural ultrasound, placental site, BP and emerging risks. |
3 · Second trimester | 26 weeks | Complete the 24–28-week GDM testing window, review anaemia risk and fetal growth; arrange the 28-week blood/antibody review. |
4 · Third trimester | 30 weeks | Review 28-week results, glucose plan and indicated RhD prophylaxis; reassess growth, symptoms and referrals. |
5 · Third trimester | 34 weeks | Review maternal/fetal wellbeing, anaemia response and the place-of-birth/transport plan. |
6 · Third trimester | 36 weeks | Assess presentation, growth concerns and birth readiness; review any condition requiring planned birth. |
7 · Third trimester | 38 weeks | Reassess symptoms, BP, fetal movement concerns and labour/ruptured-membrane contact arrangements. |
8 · Third trimester | 40 weeks | Review wellbeing and agree a documented plan if pregnancy continues, including the next assessment and birth/induction discussion. |
How many visits in each trimester?: The WHO calendar has 1 contact in the first trimester, 2 in the second and 5 in the third: at least 8 in total. Book promptly; tests with an earlier deadline need their own appointment. Diabetes, hypertension, twins, anaemia, growth concerns or symptoms require additional reviews. These are care contacts, not eight ultrasound scans.
Guideline conflict
WHO eight-contact care model
At least 8 contacts: within 12 weeks, then 20, 26, 30, 34, 36, 38 and 40 weeks.
India NHM programme / NICE UK
NHM describes a minimum of 4 ANCs with first-trimester registration. NICE plans 10 routine appointments for a first pregnancy and 7 for a woman who has previously given birth.
Population/setting difference: These are different service-delivery models. A programme minimum and a routine appointment calendar do not determine the extra care needed by an individual high-risk pregnancy.
Practical India consideration: Use the local maternity service and PMSMA specialist reviews to make a complete plan. PMSMA offers designated second/third-trimester care on the 9th of the month; it does not replace timely booking or an urgent assessment.
App default: Use the WHO eight-contact calendar as the baseline planning aid, then write the actual local appointment dates and add risk-driven reviews.
Reason: This gives a clear, more frequent baseline while making the national minimum and alternative service schedules explicit.
Reason: This gives a clear, more frequent baseline while making the national minimum and alternative service schedules explicit.
| Test / check | Timing and repeat | Purpose / next action |
|---|---|---|
CBC / haemoglobin | Booking; repeat later for the pregnancy schedule or sooner after an abnormal result/treatment. | Identify anaemia and review indices/cause. A low result needs a treatment-and-response plan, not just another test date. |
ABO blood group, RhD and red-cell antibody assessment | Establish at booking; arrange the later antibody check and document any previous sensitisation. | Plan RhD-negative care and blood compatibility. A positive antibody result needs identification and specialist assessment; prophylactic anti-D is not treatment of established sensitisation. |
HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B screening | Offer early with consent and a way to return results; repeat after new exposure/ongoing risk or when the national programme requires. | Positive screens need prompt confirmation/clinical referral and maternal-to-child-transmission prevention planning. Do not postpone a positive result to the next trimester. |
Urine assessment / midstream culture | Booking assessment; obtain a proper midstream culture to diagnose asymptomatic bacteriuria under the screening pathway. Test with urinary symptoms at any stage. | Protein dipsticks are useful for surveillance but do not replace a urine culture for bacteriuria. Treat significant infection using culture and pregnancy-appropriate antibiotics. |
Pregnancy dating, number of fetuses and screening choices | Arrange early ultrasound. NICE timing for dating/combined-screening assessment is 11+2–14+1 weeks; the exact aneuploidy programme window depends on the test offered. | Record a reliable gestational age/EDD and chorionicity if multiple. Screening is optional after counselling; an abnormal screen requires its own diagnostic discussion. |
Glucose testing · India programme | First antenatal contact, even if early; if negative, arrange the separate 24–28-week repeat. | Use the named 75 g test correctly; the detailed India method below differs from a fasting multi-sample OGTT. |
Additional tests selected from risk/history | Haemoglobinopathy/partner testing through the relevant programme; TFTs, renal/liver tests or other investigations when history, examination or local policy indicates. | Known thyroid disease, hypertension, pre-existing diabetes or a carrier result changes follow-up. Avoid presenting a single expanded blood panel as mandatory for every pregnancy. |
| Test / check | Timing and repeat | Purpose / next action |
|---|---|---|
Structural / anomaly ultrasound and placental location | Book within the accepted local window. NICE uses 18+0–20+6 weeks; WHO recommends an ultrasound before 24 weeks. | Review the actual report, completeness of views and any follow-up request. Abnormal findings or a low placenta need a dated specialist/repeat-scan plan. |
GDM testing | India programme: repeat at 24–28 weeks if the earlier test was negative, with at least 4 weeks between tests. | An early negative test does not exclude later GDM. A positive result needs glucose education, nutrition/therapy and follow-up. |
Anaemia / antibody review approaching 28 weeks | Arrange the 28-week CBC and antibody sample; bring forward testing for anaemia symptoms, bleeding or response assessment. | Review results and RhD status before the indicated anti-D injection. The WHO contact at 26 weeks does not mean postponing a 28-week intervention until 30 weeks. |
BP, proteinuria and fetal growth assessment | BP and urine protein at each routine face-to-face appointment; assess growth from 24 weeks and investigate a concerning trend. | New hypertension, symptoms or a growth discrepancy changes the care pathway. A growth/Doppler scan is driven by risk or findings. |
Targeted follow-up of earlier findings | Repeat/complete an incomplete scan or follow specialist plans for antibodies, infection, thyroid disease, diabetes or multiple pregnancy. | Write who will review the result and when. Avoid repeating an already completed screening panel solely because the trimester changed. |
| Test / check | Timing and repeat | Purpose / next action |
|---|---|---|
CBC, blood group / antibody review | At 28 weeks in the NICE schedule; further Hb testing follows the local programme, anaemia treatment, bleeding or symptoms. | Check the response to treatment and plan birth with significant anaemia or antibodies. RhD prophylaxis has its own timing and product-specific regimen. |
Glucose testing if the routine window was missed | The India guideline tests at first presentation, including after 28 weeks; after a diagnosis, use glucose monitoring rather than repeated diagnostic OGTTs. | Late booking needs catch-up care now. Review glucose, growth and the birth plan if GDM is detected. |
Growth / fluid / Doppler ultrasound | When a maternal/fetal risk or examination finding indicates it; repeat frequency follows the diagnosed condition. | NICE does not routinely offer scans after 28 weeks for an uncomplicated singleton pregnancy. Routine 28–32/36-week scans are not a universal requirement. |
Fetal presentation | Assess after 36 weeks; ultrasound if breech or another malpresentation is suspected. | Confirm presentation before counselling about ECV or mode of birth. |
GBS and repeat infection testing | GBS testing follows the unit’s screening or risk-based policy. Repeat HIV/syphilis or other infection tests for programme requirements, new exposure or clinical concern. | GBS screening is not routine in every health system; a positive result informs intrapartum antibiotics. Recheck which tests were actually done and ensure the birth team can see the results. |
Additional maternal labs / fetal surveillance | Platelets, creatinine/LFTs, CTG and other surveillance when symptoms, hypertension, growth restriction or another complication warrants them. | Do not wait for a scheduled visit when reduced movements, bleeding, severe headache, visual symptoms or acute illness occur. Routine CTG/BPP at every low-risk visit is not the baseline calendar. |
| Step | National programme instruction |
|---|---|
When | First ANC; if negative repeat at 24–28 weeks, ≥4 weeks apart. If first seen after 28 weeks, test at that contact. |
Preparation | Dissolve 75 g glucose in approximately 300 mL water; take within 5–10 minutes, irrespective of the last meal in this Indian programme. |
Sample and threshold | Measure at 2 hours with an appropriate plasma-calibrated method. A 2-hour value ≥140 mg/dL meets this programme’s GDM criterion. |
Vomiting / different test frameworks | Vomiting within 30 minutes: repeat the next day or refer; do not label the incomplete test normal. A fasting multi-sample OGTT uses its own method and criteria; record the framework instead of mixing thresholds. |
Assessment & interpretation
- At every contact review new symptoms, wellbeing, medicines/supplements, results and whether the pregnancy has become higher risk. Record the next appointment and any outstanding test/referral.
- At face-to-face visits measure BP and assess urine protein; discuss fetal movements and growth concerns as gestation advances. A test result needs an identified reviewer and a documented action.
Decisions that change management
- Arrange blood tests, scans and specialist visits within their own windows even when they fall between the eight scheduled contacts.
- Late booking: establish gestation, obtain missing baseline tests promptly and arrange the tests still appropriate for the current gestation. Do not restart a missed first-trimester screening test after its valid window.
- Symptoms or abnormal results override the routine timetable; increase review frequency for diabetes, hypertension, anaemia, antibodies, twins or suspected growth problems.
Follow-up & safety-netting
- Give a written list of the next visit date, investigations due, results awaiting review and where to seek urgent care.
- Review all booking and 28-week results before birth planning; pass infection, antibody, glucose and significant scan findings to the birth/neonatal team.
- At term document what happens if labour has not started, including the next assessment and discussion of planned birth.
Clinical pitfalls
- Eight contacts do not imply eight scans or a complete blood panel at every visit.
- A routine 26-week contact does not replace 24–28-week glucose testing or appropriately timed 28-week blood/anti-D care.
- Keep the national non-fasting glucose method distinct from a fasting OGTT, and do not count an uncompleted test as negative.
Admission & discharge
Care setting: Routine outpatient antenatal care; admit complications rather than uncomplicated pregnancy
Admission/discharge guidance checked 2026-10-18 against the linked sources. This is a clinical checklist for an individual decision, not an automatic discharge order.
When admission or continued hospital care is needed
- Bleeding, severe pain, reduced movements, membrane rupture/labour concerns, severe BP symptoms, sepsis, significant dehydration or other maternal/fetal deterioration requires prompt maternity assessment and admission when needed.
When clinic, day care or home care may be suitable
- Uncomplicated antenatal care is organised through the trimester/contact calendar, with additional reviews for risk.
Before going home
- Any presenting concern has been assessed; mother/fetal findings support home care and a specific result/referral/next-contact plan is documented.
Discharge medicines and treatment changes
- Reconcile supplements and any risk-based preventive treatment; an antenatal checklist is not permission to prescribe every preventive medicine to everyone.
Tests, pending results and their reviewer
- Write due dates and reviewers for the trimester investigations and outstanding results; late booking needs a catch-up plan rather than waiting for the next routine contact.
Home care and counselling
- Give pregnancy danger signs, contact numbers, transport/place-of-birth planning and the actual appointment dates.
Follow-up: when and what to review
| When | Action / responsible service |
|---|---|
At the next booked antenatal contact/test | Follow the trimester calendar and each investigation’s own window. |
Earlier for symptoms or an abnormal result | Arrange appropriate review/referral promptly rather than waiting for a routine visit. |
Return urgently
- Bleeding, severe abdominal pain, reduced/absent movements, severe headache/visual symptoms, fever/systemic illness, breathlessness or fluid loss requires urgent assessment.
Open the complete discharge checklist →
Sources for this plan:
Treatment
① Immediate stabilization — first minutes
③ First-line treatment & drug regimens
Iron–folic acid — antenatal preventionWHOsummary checked
Dose60 mg ELEMENTAL iron +400 micrograms (0.4 mg) folic acid
RouteOral
FrequencyOnce daily
DurationThroughout pregnancy, beginning as early as possible; document any national postpartum continuation separately
PreparationChoose a product labelled with these elemental-iron/folate amounts; no dilution. Check other prenatal supplements to avoid duplication; separate calcium and levothyroxine
Max doseWHO preventive range is 30–60 mg elemental iron/day; this card selects 60 mg. Do not treat established IDA with the preventive dose alone
- Routine pregnancy supplementation, particularly high-anaemia-burden settings
- Start folic acid before conception where possible. High-risk neural-tube-defect prevention is a separate higher-dose folate prescription.
Monitoring
- Hb/anaemia screening, tolerance, adherence and additional risk of folate/B12 deficiency
Contraindications: Known iron overload; assess microcytosis/non-response rather than repeatedly escalating iron blindly
Calcium — low-intake pregnancy supplementationWHOsummary checked
Dose1.5–2 g ELEMENTAL calcium per day; a practical 1.5 g schedule is 500 mg three times daily
RouteOral
FrequencyThree divided doses, preferably with meals
DurationDuring pregnancy; starting time and postpartum continuation should be documented for the national programme used
PreparationRead elemental calcium on the label: salt weight is not elemental calcium. Use 500 mg elemental-calcium tablets for the example schedule; separate iron by several hours and levothyroxine by 4–5 hours
Max dose2 g/day supplemental elemental calcium in this WHO regimen; count all supplements and assess renal/stone risk
- WHO prevention of pre-eclampsia in populations with low dietary calcium intake
- WHO notes that evidence does not establish one optimal start time; supplementation may begin at the first antenatal contact.
Monitoring
- Dietary intake, adherence, renal disease and duplicate calcium/vitamin-D products
Contraindications: Hypercalcaemia; renal impairment or recurrent calcium stones require individual assessment
Aspirin low doseNICE · NG133checked
Dose75–150 mg
RouteOral
FrequencyOnce daily
DurationFrom 12 weeks until birth (NICE NG133); use a single named prevention protocol
PreparationSwallow the prescribed low-dose tablet; do not substitute analgesic-dose aspirin
Max dose150 mg/day in this NICE regimen
- NICE regimen for pre-eclampsia prevention in women meeting high/moderate-risk criteria
- Some other named prevention protocols stop at 36 weeks. Choose and document one start/stop protocol rather than prescribing a fixed number of weeks irrespective of gestation.
Monitoring
- Adherence, bleeding, allergy and the evolving obstetric risk assessment
Contraindications: Aspirin allergy/NSAID hypersensitivity, active significant bleeding or relevant bleeding disorder
Anti-D immunoglobulin — routine antenatalCSL Behring / emcchecked
Dose300 micrograms (1500 IU)
RouteIM or IV for this Rhophylac product only
FrequencyOnce at 28–30 weeks
DurationOne routine antenatal dose; sensitising events and birth are assessed separately
PreparationReady-to-use prefilled syringe 300 micrograms/2 mL (1500 IU/2 mL); bring to room temperature and give slowly. Verify product, RhD status and antibody screen; do not confuse with newborn vitamin K
Max doseOne 300-microgram syringe covers approximately 15 mL fetal RhD-positive red cells; additional dose depends on measured FMH, not an arbitrary universal ceiling
- Non-sensitised RhD-negative pregnancy with an indication for routine antenatal prophylaxis
- Give to the mother, not the infant. Early-pregnancy losses have separate gestation/management criteria; do not apply the routine 28-week row to every miscarriage.
Monitoring
- Identity/product checks, prior sensitisation, allergic reactions and FMH assessment; observe after administration
Contraindications: RhD-positive mother or established immune anti-D: prophylaxis is not treatment; IM route unsuitable with severe thrombocytopenia/coagulopathy
Anti-D immunoglobulin — postpartumCSL Behring / emcchecked
Dose300 micrograms (1500 IU); increase if testing shows a larger fetomaternal haemorrhage
RouteIM or IV for this Rhophylac product only
FrequencyOnce as soon as possible, ideally within 72 hours of birth
DurationPostnatal episode; if >72 hours have elapsed, do not withhold—give as soon as possible and obtain specialist advice
PreparationReady-to-use prefilled syringe 300 micrograms/2 mL (1500 IU/2 mL); bring to room temperature and give slowly. Verify product, RhD status and antibody screen; do not confuse with newborn vitamin K
Max doseOne 300-microgram syringe covers approximately 15 mL fetal RhD-positive red cells; additional dose depends on measured FMH, not an arbitrary universal ceiling
- Non-sensitised RhD-negative mother after an RhD-positive birth
- Give to the mother, not the infant. Early-pregnancy losses have separate gestation/management criteria; do not apply the routine 28-week row to every miscarriage.
Monitoring
- Identity/product checks, prior sensitisation, allergic reactions and FMH assessment; observe after administration
Contraindications: RhD-positive mother or established immune anti-D: prophylaxis is not treatment; IM route unsuitable with severe thrombocytopenia/coagulopathy
Monitoring
- Use the eight-contact calendar and trimester investigation tables in Clinical detail; record the actual local appointment dates.
- At each visit review results, symptoms, BP/proteinuria, adherence/tolerance and referrals. From 24 weeks assess growth and investigate a concerning trend.
- Book the 24–28-week glucose test and indicated 28-week blood/anti-D care on time, even when they fall between routine contacts.
- Arrange extra reviews for anaemia, diabetes, hypertension, antibodies, twins, infection or fetal concerns. Routine late-pregnancy scans and CTG are not required at every uncomplicated visit.
Response assessment
- Normal surveillance trajectory; supplements tolerated
Escalation
- Any red-flag symptom pathway same-day access
⑮ Complications & their management
Hyperemesis/anaemia/infections
Respective modules
Post-treatment care
- Postnatal contact schedule linkage (WHO PNC guidance)
Diagnosis & assessment
Initial assessment
- Book as soon as pregnancy is known. Review gestational age, prior pregnancies, medical and mental health, medicines, family history, infection risk and available reports.
- Record BP, weight/BMI and baseline risk; plan indicated aspirin, supplements, immunisation and specialist referrals using the relevant criteria.
- Arrange the dating/screening appointment within its valid window. Give the next visit date and a separate date for every time-sensitive investigation; do not wait for the next WHO contact when a test is due earlier.
Investigations
| Test | Looking for |
|---|---|
First trimester: booking to 13+6 weeks | Baseline CBC/Hb, group/RhD and antibodies, offered HIV/syphilis/HBV screening, urine culture pathway, dating/screening choices and India first-contact glucose testing; targeted additional tests follow risk. |
Second trimester: 14+0–27+6 weeks | Structural scan within the local window, India glucose repeat at 24–28 weeks if the early test was negative, and arrangement of 28-week CBC/antibody/Rh care. |
Third trimester: from 28 weeks | Review 28-week blood/antibody results, anaemia response, indicated growth/surveillance tests, presentation after 36 weeks and any missing late-booking tests. |
Every contact / symptoms between contacts | Review symptoms, results and changing risk; BP and urine protein at routine face-to-face visits. New symptoms or abnormal results require their own prompt assessment, not the next calendar date. |
Principles & follow-up
Management principles
Sources (15)
WHO — Antenatal care: eight-contact model
· checked 2026-10-18 · verified-live
Open source ↗
· checked 2026-10-18 · verified-live
Open source ↗
Primary WHO calendar checked: minimum eight contacts within 12 weeks then 20/26/30/34/36/38/40, one/two/five contacts by trimester, additional risk-driven care and ultrasound before 24 weeks. WHO current healthy-pregnancy page also continues the eight-contact recommendation.
MoHFW / National Health Mission — Maternal health: quality ANC and PMSMA
· checked 2026-10-18 · verified-live
Open source ↗
· checked 2026-10-18 · verified-live
Open source ↗
Current official programme page checked: minimum four ANCs, first-trimester registration and baseline package; PMSMA designated ninth-of-month second/third-trimester specialist care and extra high-risk follow-up. Displayed alongside WHO/NICE rather than replacing them silently.
MoHFW / National Health Mission — GDM: Technical and Operational Guidelines — 2018
· checked 2026-10-18 · verified-live
Open source ↗
· checked 2026-10-18 · verified-live
Open source ↗
Full primary PDF sections 4.4–4.6: universal first-contact testing, negative-test repeat at 24–28 weeks ≥4 weeks later, late presentation >28 weeks tested at first contact; 75 g glucose in ~300 mL within 5–10 min regardless of last meal, two-hour ≥140 mg/dL, plasma-calibrated method, vomiting within…
NICE — NG201 — antenatal care
19 August 2021 · checked 2026-10-18 · verified-live
Open source ↗
19 August 2021 · checked 2026-10-18 · verified-live
Open source ↗
Additional full-primary-HTML check for trimester guide: NG201 1.1/1.2 booking and 10 nulliparous/7 parous contacts, baseline CBC/group/Rh and offered infection/haemoglobinopathy screening, 11+2–14+1 dating and 18+0–20+6 anomaly scan, 28-week CBC/antibodies/Rh care, BP/proteinuria each routine face-t…
WHO — ANC recommendation B.1.2 — bacteriuria diagnosis
· checked 2026-10-18 · verified-summary
Open source ↗
· checked 2026-10-18 · verified-summary
Open source ↗
Primary WHO recommendation text indexed by NCBI: midstream urine culture is preferred for asymptomatic bacteriuria; dipstick protein assessment is not a substitute. Direct page currently has a browser challenge, so verification is limited to the primary indexed text.
RCOG — GBS in pregnancy: screening policy and intrapartum care
· checked 2026-10-18 · verified-live
Open source ↗
· checked 2026-10-18 · verified-live
Open source ↗
Primary patient guidance opened: UK does not universally screen; a positive urine/swab result and risk history inform intrapartum antibiotics. Used to avoid presenting a universal third-trimester GBS test as mandatory in every health system.
WHO — Antenatal care recommendations — iron and folate doses
· checked 2026-10-17 · verified-summary
Open source ↗
· checked 2026-10-17 · verified-summary
Open source ↗
Recommendation A.2.1: prevention 30–60 mg elemental iron plus 400 micrograms folic acid daily; anaemia treatment 120 mg elemental iron with 400 micrograms folic acid until Hb normal, then prevention. Limited dose-scope check through the primary WHO text indexed by NCBI; not a revalidation of every 2…
WHO — Calcium supplementation in pregnancy — 2018 recommendation
· checked 2026-10-17 · verified-summary
Open source ↗
· checked 2026-10-17 · verified-summary
Open source ↗
Low-dietary-intake population: 1.5–2 g elemental calcium/day in three divided doses, preferably with meals; separate iron, no established optimal starting gestation. Primary WHO recommendation table checked through NCBI.
NICE — NG133 — hypertension in pregnancy
25 June 2019 · updated 17 April 2023 · checked 2026-10-18 · verified-live
Open source ↗
25 June 2019 · updated 17 April 2023 · checked 2026-10-18 · verified-live
Open source ↗
Scope: additional clinical-detail explanation for hdp-postpartum. Checked the assessment, management-decision and follow-up statements in that section against this source. This does not certify all pre-existing regimens, calculations or recommendations in the module. Targeted medication audit: Table…
CSL Behring / emc — Rhophylac 300 micrograms/2 mL — SmPC
· checked 2026-10-17 · verified-live
Open source ↗
· checked 2026-10-17 · verified-live
Open source ↗
1500 IU/300 micrograms in 2 mL, product-specific IM/IV routes, routine 28–30-week prophylaxis, postnatal as soon as possible within 72 hours (give if delayed), 15 mL fetal-RBC coverage and FMH-based additional dose, maternal identity and route precautions.
NICE — Postnatal care — NG194
· checked 2026-10-18 · verified-live
Open source ↗
· checked 2026-10-18 · verified-live
Open source ↗
Maternal/newborn transfer assessment, first void and effective feeding, handover, support/safeguarding, first midwife visit within 36 hours after transfer, postnatal danger symptoms. Full recommendations page read.
India MoHFW / NHM — District Hospital Standard Operating Procedures — LaQshya
· checked 2026-10-18 · verified-live
Open source ↗
· checked 2026-10-18 · verified-live
Open source ↗
Normal-delivery discharge not less than 48 hours: full primary SOP PDF normal-delivery/discharge passages read. Corroborated by NHM CEmONC 2024 Part 1, chapter 8. This does not define a universal post-caesarean or complicated-case stay.
WHO — WHO recommendations on quality postnatal care — official recommendation summary
· checked 2026-10-18 · verified-live
Open source ↗
· checked 2026-10-18 · verified-live
Open source ↗
Official WHO summary read: at least 24-hour facility care after birth; additional contacts at 48–72 hours, 7–14 days and week 6; individual assessment/support. Summary facts only, not a claim that the full 242-page PDF was reviewed.
RCOG — Laparoscopy — recovering well
· checked 2026-10-18 · verified-live
Open source ↗
· checked 2026-10-18 · verified-live
Open source ↗
Full primary patient recovery page read: pain control, wounds, activity/VTE, urinary/bowel and infection warning signs, adult support and no driving/important decisions during the first 24 hours after general anaesthesia. Used as general recovery/handover principles, not operation-specific discharge…
NICE — Acutely ill adults in hospital — CG50
· checked 2026-10-18 · verified-live
Open source ↗
· checked 2026-10-18 · verified-live
Open source ↗
Full primary recommendations read, focusing on critical-care-to-ward transfer: structured written handover, shared plan, monitoring, rehabilitation and receiving-team capability. Step-down is distinct from home discharge; no universal organ-support discharge cutoff is asserted.