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NICE has launched a new quality standard on the care that should be offered to women during their pregnancy.

This new quality standard on antenatal care represents the first component of a suite of maternity quality standards which, along with intrapartum care and postnatal care, will form the core pathway. Other quality standards in development include hypertension in pregnancy, caesarean section and multiple pregnancy.

This new quality standard consists of 12 quality statements that describe prioritised aspects of high-quality, cost-effective care that contribute to improving the effectiveness, safety and experience of care for pregnant women.

Dr Gillian Leng, Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Health and Social Careat NICE said "The new quality standard also firmly places women at the centre of decision making about their care, ensuring they are provided with up to date information to enable them to make informed decisions in partnership with healthcare professionals about their care and treatment."

• NICE