When to go to the maternity ward
Not sure when the right time is to head to the maternity ward? Read on...
Read the articleAdmission to the delivery room
The delivery rooms are located on the 3rd floor of Building D4. Please ring the bell every time you arrive, even if the waiting room is full, as this is the only way to ensure we are aware of your arrival.
Read the articleBirth 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.
Read the articlePain during childbirth
Labour pain is the only pain in our lives associated with a physiological – normal – process. How it is experienced can vary from person to person, but in most cases it is very intense pain, which can, and sometimes should, be managed.
Read the articlePositioning during childbirth
Positioning during labour is key to a successful delivery and a natural birth. For most women, positioning comes naturally; however, sometimes a change of position is needed to correct abnormal descent or rotation of the baby in the birth canal.
Read the articleBirth injuries
Whilst some births take place without any injuries at all, in many cases injuries are unavoidable. By preparing for childbirth, certain injuries can be prevented. Whether this involves perineal massage or the use of the Aniball® device.
Read the articleCaesarean section
A caesarean section is the most major obstetric procedure. It is performed for various reasons relating to the mother or the baby. It may be planned during pregnancy or carried out as an emergency procedure during labour.
Read the articleVaginal birth or caesarean section?
Vaginal birth is the natural way for a baby to be born. The female body is designed for this. It should be the clear preference.
Read the articleBonding
Bonding means ‘forming a bond’. It refers to the mother’s first contact with her baby immediately after birth and is an important process in forming a strong emotional bond that lasts a lifetime. Skin-to-skin contact helps the baby adapt to life after birth, regulates their body temperature, reduces stress levels and helps to establish breastfeeding.
Read the articleVBAC
We prefer a vaginal birth following a caesarean section, provided the conditions are favourable.
Read the articleMultiple pregnancies
The incidence of twin pregnancies is currently approximately 1 in 80 births. A twin pregnancy is considered high-risk due to a higher incidence of complications affecting both the mother pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, anaemia, caesarean section, postpartum haemorrhage, preterm birth and the babies higher incidence of structural and genetic defects, prematurity, growth restriction.
Read the articlePost-term pregnancy
Pregnancy usually lasts 40 full weeks. A pregnancy that continues beyond this period is known as a post-term pregnancy.
Read the articleBreech birth
The breech presentation is one of the physiological normal foetal positions, allowing for a natural vaginal birth in many cases. However, it has its own specific characteristics compared to a head-first presentation.
Read the articleOutpatient birth
An outpatient birth refers to the mother and baby leaving the maternity ward to go home within 72 hours of the birth.
Read the articleThe placenta and the umbilical cord
The placenta and umbilical cord facilitate the transfer of nutrients and oxygen from the mother to the foetus, whilst also carrying waste products back. They form during the first trimester of pregnancy and are expelled from the mother’s body spontaneously after the baby is born, during the third stage of labour.
Read the articleInduction of labour
Induction refers to the process of stimulating uterine contractions with the aim of facilitating a vaginal delivery. There are various reasons for inducing labour, including post-term pregnancy, maternal complications pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, etc. or foetal factors growth restriction, abnormal blood flow or CTG, etc..
Read the articleComplications
Despite all our efforts and care, some births are complicated by issues that often arise suddenly. Unfortunately, these can only sometimes be predicted. We hope that learning about the most common of these, along with an explanation of how they are managed, will help alleviate the fear of the unknown and perhaps encourage you to decide that giving birth in a healthcare facility is the safer option.
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