BAPM framework published for reducing risk of sudden and unexpected postnatal collapse

The new British Association of Perinatal Medicine (BAPM) framework for practice on sudden and unexpected postnatal collapse, produced in partnership with the Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch (HSIB), provides guidance for care providers and all perinatal professionals to help prevent the occurrence of Sudden Unexpected Postnatal Collapse (SUPC) in the first week after birth through careful surveillance and risk assessment with effective observation of all mothers and babies in the immediate postpartum period.

It also provides guidance for the management of infants who survive SUPC and aims to standardise the investigation of both survivors and those who die.

This guidance aims to support safety while promoting skin-to-skin contact, supporting parents to get breastfeeding off to a good start and encouraging parents to start building a close and loving relationship in the early postnatal period.

The framework can be read here:

bapm.org/resources/sudden-and-unexpected-postnatal-collapse-supc

Meanwhile, a consultation is now open on the draft document from BAPM, Early postnatal care of the moderate-late preterm infant - a framework for practice. This framework for practice is intended to support and guide the management of babies born at 32⁺⁰ to 36⁺⁶ weeks’ gestation who do not require medical intervention at birth and are well enough to remain with their mothers for normal care or neonatal transitional care, or who require special care.

BAPM is seeking views on the draft document before publishing a final version and would welcome comments before 12 May.

For further information visit:

bapm.org/resources/framework-early-postnatal-care-of-the-moderate-late-preterm-infant