The programme is designed to help maternity staff improve clinical practice of two significant contributors to avoidable brain injury in childbirth:
- detection and response to suspected intrapartum fetal deterioration (IFD)
- management of the obstetric emergency of impacted fetal head at caesarean birth (IFH)
In June 2025 we received an additional commission Avoiding Brain Injury in Childbirth (ABC) to commence in Sept 2025 from the National Maternity Neonatal Programme:
- For Intrapartum fetal deterioration (IFD) the ABC programme has developed a nationally standardised approach for the detection and response to fetal deterioration during labour
- For impacted fetal head (IFH), the ABC programme has co-designed and user-tested evidence-based management algorithms, innovative educational tools and multi-professional training to support good practice in managing this emergency
This programme supports maternity teams with evidence-based tools and protocols to ensure consistent, timely, and coordinated care.
See here for the national press release and further details on the programme.