Guidelines

Caesarean section rates have been steadily increasing worldwide over the last few decades above levels that cannot be considered medically necessary. This trend has not been accompanied by significant maternal or perinatal benefits. In recognition of the urgent need to address this sustained and unprecedented rise in the use of caesarean section, WHO has produced evidence-based guidance on non-clinical interventions specifically designed to reduce unnecessary caesarean section. These recommendations can be useful to health-care professionals responsible for developing regional, national and local health protocols and policies, as well as obstetricians, midwives, nurses, general medical practitioners, managers of maternal and child health programmes, and public health policy-makers in all settings and countries where increasing use of caesarean section has been identified as a problem.

This up-to-date, comprehensive and consolidated guideline on essential intrapartum care brings together new and existing WHO recommendations that, when delivered as a package, will ensure good-quality and evidence-based care irrespective of the setting or level of health care. The recommendations...

This document is part of the process for improving the quality of care in family planning. Specifically, it is one of two evidence-based cornerstones (guidance documents) of the World Health Organization’s initiative to develop and implement family planning guidelines for national programmes. The first cornerstone, the Medical eligibility criteria for contraceptive use (MEC, now in its 5th edition).

Overview Since the release of the consolidated guidelines in 2015, new evidence has emerged. Consequently, in an effort to further support countries, programme managers, health workers and other stakeholders seeking to achieve national and international HIV goals, this 2016 update issues new...

The Sustainable Development Goals have set ambitious health-related targets for mothers, newborns, children under the umbrella of Universal Health Coverage by 2030. Addressing quality of care will be fundamental in reducing maternal and newborn mortality and achieving the health-related SDG targets...

WHO guidelines on HIV and Infant Feeding in 2010 for the first time recommended the use of antiretroviral drugs to prevent postnatal transmission of HIV through breastfeeding. This resulted in a major change from an individualised counselling approach toward a public health approach regarding how...