Midwives Begin Successfully
In the picturesque town of Neustrelitz, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the DRK Hospital has made a significant stride in maternity care. The hospital, which performs over 200 births annually, has implemented a unique midwife-led delivery model, offering a more personalised and natural birthing experience.
This model, the first of its kind in the region, prioritises continuous, personalised care provided by midwives throughout labour and delivery. Midwives take the lead role, emphasising minimal medical intervention, a calming and supportive environment, and the promotion of physiological birth processes.
For pregnant women seeking an out-of-hospital delivery, this midwife-led delivery room could be an attractive alternative. Many women find it easier to let go and express individual needs with midwives, while also valuing the necessary intimacy provided during midwife-led deliveries. The approach encourages natural delivery methods, promoting the mother’s autonomy and active participation.
The hospital's staffing situation is stable, thanks to a "Duty Schedule Sudoku" model that allows for many flexible wishes. This model has ensured the hospital's obstetrics department, which had to be closed for several months in 2019 due to a shortage of midwives, now boasts 13 midwives.
The midwife-led delivery room in Neustrelitz offers various equipment for a relaxed birth, including a birth stool, bathtub, exercise ball, sling, and an adjustable delivery bed. Freelance midwives also support the midwife-led delivery offerings at the hospital and inform their pregnant clients about the possibilities.
The benefits of this approach are evident. Pregnant women report increased security and support, a more natural and positive birth experience, reduced need for medical interventions, and better bonding and satisfaction. The personalised care contributes to a more satisfying birth experience and facilitates immediate mother-child bonding.
The DRK hospital's operator and the local political environment have recently reaffirmed their commitment to the location, acknowledging that larger distances would otherwise restrict medical care. General information evenings for expectant parents are held on the first Wednesday of each month at the DRK hospital in Neustrelitz, providing an opportunity for prospective parents to learn more about this unique birthing model.
The head midwife, Nikola Balke, and the Chief Physician of Gynecology and Obstetrics at the DRK Hospital, Dr. Ulf Goertzlehner, collaborated to implement this new practice. Even doctors find the midwife-led delivery model good, as stated by Nikola Balke.
For those interested in this approach, the DRK hospital's midwives recommend getting to know them during the 30-33rd and 36th week of pregnancy by calling 03981 268621 or emailing [email protected]. The clinic ensures that medical help can be called upon if needed during midwife-led deliveries.
With around 17% of births in Neustrelitz being midwife-led, and 25% of expectant mothers showing interest, this model seems to be gaining popularity. The Neustrelitz team emphasises that every woman and every birth is different, but for many, the midwife-led delivery room offers a natural, self-determined birth in a protected atmosphere.
Science and health-and-wellness are intrinsically linked in the midwife-led delivery model at the DRK Hospital in Neustrelitz, as this approach promotes a more natural and positive birthing experience for pregnant women, leading to better bonding and satisfaction. The personalized care, reduced need for medical interventions, and immediate mother-child bonding contribute to improved health outcomes and wellness for both mother and child.
