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Example of an ecological birth centre with a focus on natural, undisturbed birth experiences

Publikationsdatum: 2. April 2025
Letzte Änderung: 3. April, 2025

This birth centre in the German-speaking part of Switzerland provides comprehensive care for women before, during and after childbirth with a growing team of freelance midwives. Close cooperation with the cantonal hospital ensures the safety of women and newborns. The birth centre emphasises physical wellbeing, a balanced diet and family rooms in the postnatal period and strives to further improve energy efficiency and the psychological wellbeing of women.

Goal 1

By 2026, we will reduce the number of medically unnecessary interventions by 25% and thus promote a natural birth experience.

Measures

  • Carry out medical necessity tests by medical staff prior to medical interventions for caesarean sections, labour support and similar measures.
  • Offer a wide range of non-drug pain relief methods, including breathing techniques, massage, water births, meditation and acupuncture.
  • Introduce a quality assurance programme that includes evaluating all interventions retrospectively and developing measures for the continuous improvement of medical care and the natural birth experience.
  • Provide annual staff training on the latest research and evidence-based practices to avoid unnecessary interventions and improve maternal and child safety.

Goal 2

By 2026, we will reduce the perceived psychological burden of birth experiences by 10%.

Measures

  • Provide information about access and referral to "psychological support" before, during and after childbirth (e.g. referral to antenatal classes or for postnatal depression) to recognise and address fears, traumas and insecurities at an early stage.
  • Conduct monthly reviews of complex cases to determine the best treatment therapies for medical and psychological care.
  • Prioritise natural, non-interventional and non-violent methods for inducing labour, pain relief (cf.dosages) and labour support, taking into account the discouragement of the Kristeller manoeuvre, in which external pressure is forcibly applied to the abdomen (WHO and Swiss Midwives Association advise against it).
  • Introduce anonymous surveys (1 week and 3-12 months after birth) to assess the care, psychological health and satisfaction of women giving birth, with the results being used to prevent trauma and improve the care concept.

Goal 3

By 2026, we will ensure that at least 97% of women giving birth confirm that their wishes and needs were fully respected and included during the birth.

Measures

  • Standardise holistic information and understanding prior to each intervention, ensuring the person undergoing treatment is treated respectfully and is not subjected to any pressure.
  • Provide annual training for the entire team on respectful communication and labour support to ensure each woman's autonomy and voice is respected.
  • Enable the integration of a doula or birth companion for emotional support and representation of needs during childbirth.
  • Conduct a standardised, anonymous survey after each birth to measure satisfaction with medical and emotional care, including questions on respect, self-determination and non-violent birth experiences.

Goal 4

By 2026, we will cover more than 20% of our electricity needs by installing solar panels on our birth centre and replacing 100% of our oil-based heating energy production with a water-to-water heat pump.

Measures

  • Install solar panels on the roofs of the birth centre.
  • Utilise the nearby lake for natural cooling.
  • Convert the heating systems by installing a water/water heat pump and achieve sustainable transition by switching the electricity supplier to a 100% renewable energy offering.

Further options

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