Choosing a maternity clinic: What is important

There are a few things you should consider when choosing the right maternity clinic. We explain what you need to look out for.

Choose a maternity clinic: You should definitely pay attention to this

You should present yourself at the maternity clinic of your choice around the 20th week of pregnancy. In large cities, it often makes sense to reserve a place as soon as you become aware of your pregnancy or as early as possible. Some maternity clinics are fully booked long in advance, so a woman giving birth does not always have a free choice. But before you decide on a birth centre, you should think about what is important to you and, above all, how you would like to give birth to your child.

What is important when choosing a maternity clinic?

The personnel situation in the labour room determines how often you will be alone during the birth, or how well you can be supported by a midwife. However, the question of the number of midwives on duty alone is not meaningful. You also need to know how many births are attended per day. The amount of work that midwives often have to do in addition to providing labour support is also noticeable for you. You can therefore ask whether the antenatal outpatient department is looked after by the midwives who are also responsible for the births, or whether there are separate staff for this. Many hospitals have a midwife in the operating theatre. This helps in the labour room. Because then the midwife does not have to leave the delivery room when a caesarean section is to take place. 

There are many mums-to-be who think about the birth situation long before the birth. Birth position make. If you wish to give birth to your child in a tub, your chosen clinic should be able to provide you with a Water birth to be carried out. All other birth positions (standing birth, birthing chair, squatting birth, lying birth, quadrupedal birth) are possible everywhere in most cases. 

The perineal cut rate is not published by every clinic. However, most hospitals will give you a statement on this if you ask. How high the perineal incision rate may be is not officially described. But it can be an important factor for you to compare the different hospitals in your region. Because it should be relatively evenly distributed. Hospitals that specialise in high-risk births may have a higher episiotomy rate than delivery rooms that treat fewer high-risk births. 

Furthermore, when choosing a maternity clinic, you should consider whether you want a Paediatric intensive care unit in the neighbourhood. Although some maternity clinics have a delivery room, they do not have an intensive care unit for babies. In an emergency, the baby will be taken by special ambulance to the nearest paediatric clinic. You should also clarify where Your emergency care can take place, should this be necessary.

Rooming-in (the baby is in your room with you) is now common in Germany. If you would like your partner to stay overnight in the maternity clinic, you should ask if there are any facilities there. Family room gives. If you are a Single room This is not a problem in most clinics, but you will have to pay a surcharge for this yourself. 

Large clinics help you with the bureaucratic matters after the birth, you do not have to go to the local registry office with your baby after the birth. You can enquire whether this service is offered by telephone.

What equipment should the delivery room of the maternity clinic have?

Some maternity clinics now offer huge Birth beds on. These can be adjusted to different positions; your partner also has enough space. Especially if the labour takes a long time, it's nice to be able to cuddle up together. The delivery room at your maternity clinic should also be equipped with various things such as Ropes, Stool or a Exercise ball be equipped. You don't have to decide in advance whether you want to use any of it, but you will be happy if you can make use of it if the worst comes to the worst. 

How far away should the maternity clinic be?

In principle, it makes sense to choose a hospital that is as is close to home. Anyone who has ever been stuck in a rush-hour traffic jam will know that this can sometimes take quite a long time. So when you go into labour, you should be able to get to the maternity clinic as quickly as possible. The Parking situation should be considered, because a pregnant woman in labour does not want to spend a long time looking for a parking space. Your partner should drive the route to the hospital a few times in advance and explore alternative routes and car parks. Ultimately, however, you will have plenty of time with your first baby. Proximity is important. But the other arguments are even more important.

What will be discussed at the antenatal clinic?

Once you have decided on a maternity clinic, you should register at the clinic in the 20th week of pregnancy at the latest. When to make the appointment Admission interview  is handled differently by different hospitals. You can find out by calling your delivery room. However, most pregnant women are given a date for this appointment at the latest when maternity leave begins. The midwife in charge will fill out some formalities for you, so bring your Maternity passport and your Insurance card with. Some hospitals also offer information evenings and delivery room tours in advance.

My maternity clinic has a high caesarean section rate, what now?

The Caesarean section rate provides information on how often a maternity clinic performs a caesarean section. However, there are a few things to bear in mind when evaluating this indicator: a maternity clinic in a large city will have a significantly higher caesarean section rate than a clinic in the countryside. One of the reasons for this is that women in large cities are more likely to have an elective caesarean section. The shortage of midwives in larger cities also has a negative effect on the caesarean section rate, as good and intensive care from a specialised midwife reduces the number of caesarean sections enormously. The caesarean section rate may be higher in a clinic that has many high-risk births. These delivery rooms are called level 1 or level 2 hospitals. This is because high-risk births often require a caesarean section to ensure that mum or baby survive the birth unharmed. 

Many clinics offer to let the baby stay with the mother in the operating theatre after the caesarean section. They have a sling ready for the baby. Before the operation, the mum pulls the sling over her breast. After the baby is born, the baby can stay there for as long as mum is being stitched up and cared for. This strengthens the bond. 

Which maternity clinic is the right choice for you is also decided by your Gut feelingDo you feel comfortable? Do you like the doctors and midwives? A relaxed atmosphere in the clinic is important so that you can have a pleasant birth.