Birth companion

We welcome a birth companion. They provide emotional support to the mother, can help alleviate fear and tension, and can actively participate in the birthing process, for example by massaging her back or helping her into comfortable positions, etc. This may be a partner, a doula or another person of her choice.

If the midwife is not contracted to our facility, she may not actively assist with the birth. Each expectant mother may have a maximum of two accompanying persons with her; both are granted free access to the delivery room. However, the presence of accompanying persons must not interfere with the provision of healthcare services. Accompanying persons are required to follow the instructions of the medical staff.

Accompaniment during childbirth will not be permitted in the following cases:

• The accompanying person fails to follow the instructions of the medical staff, behaves inappropriately or interferes with the work of doctors or midwives
• The accompanying person is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or has an active infectious disease
• An acute complication arises during childbirth, e.g. an emergency surgical intervention, and the doctor asks the accompanying person to remain in the waiting room or delivery room

We allow a support person to be present throughout the entire birth, from admission to the delivery room, through the birth itself, and for the entire period during which the mother remains under observation in the delivery room, usually for 2 hours following a spontaneous birth. You will then move together to the postnatal care ward. In the case of premium rooms, your stay together on the ward may continue until discharge. For your stay in the delivery room, it is advisable to bring slippers, a drink, perhaps something to eat, a mobile phone and possibly a camera.

We also support the presence of a support person during a caesarean section. This reduces the mother’s stress levels and allows you to share the experience of your baby’s arrival into the world. This is usually the father, though the presence of a doula in the operating theatre is also possible. The accompanying person will be instructed by the midwife on how to change into operating theatre attire, will be given the necessary equipment, and will be seated at the mother’s head. In the case of immediate bonding with the umbilical cord left intact after the baby has been delivered, the father participates and may, if agreed with the paediatrician, cut the cord once it has stopped pulsating. Should the newborn require immediate medical attention, the accompanying person may be present in the neonatal unit.