AKH

Facts and Figures

Births per year 2752
Rate of episiotomy (perineotomy) in natural birth 11.8 %
cesarean section rate 48.4 %
Percentage of primary (planned) caesarean sections 60.9 %
Percentage of secondary (unplanned) caesarean sections 39 %
Rate of peridural/spinal anaesthesia (spinal block) during caesarean section 89 %
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Besides doctors, carers and midwives, which other salaried personnel does your team feature? available
Psychologists
Physiotherapists
Dieticians
Social workers
Offers for future mothers
Offer available free
Pregnancy exercises
Birth preparation courses
Psychological / psychosomatic walk-in clinic and counselling
Acupuncture
Homeopathy
Individual discussions with midwives
How many birthing rooms are there?: 7
What is the standard of equipment? available
Birthing stool
Birth wheel
Pezzi ball
Wall bars
own wetroom / WC
Number of birthing tubs:2
Care from pregnancy week:12
offer available
Are midwives able to assist with delivery in your department?
Are midwives of the patient's choice able to assist with delivery in your department?
Is there a neonatologist on site round the clock?
Is a peridural or spinal anaesthesia possible at any time?
Offers for mothers and new born babies
offer available free
Clinical baby examination
Hip ultrasound
Listening test
Laser treatment for sore nipples
Social counselling
Breastfeeding counselling
Nutrition counselling
Psychological care for post-partum problems
Confinement exercises
Back exercises
Private groups
Baby gymnastics
Baby massage
Number of family rooms: 0
Number of rooms for women who have just given birth
general class
Single or double rooms 18
Rooms with three or four beds 0
Five or more beds 0
special class
Single rooms 4
Double rooms 4
Routine discharge after spontaneous birth in days3
Routine discharge after Caesarean section in days4

1. Please describe your department’s obstetric philosophy

The Medical University of Vienna’s main work is research, teaching and advanced medicine. To that effect, we concentrate on pathological pregnancies, such as multiple pregnancies, premature waters breaking / dangerous premature birth; pregnant women with additional conditions such as diabetes, pre-eclampsia, abnormal placenta localisation, egg donation etc.

2. Please describe the process of a problem-free birth in your department, preferably from the woman’s point of view.

The pregnant woman comes with spontaneous labour and gives birth either only with a midwife, or with a midwife and a doctor. Very often the partner, or another caregiver, is also present for the birth. As we mainly care for patients with pathological births, we frequently use an epidural anaesthetic (EDA) for pain relief. In very rare instances, an episiotomy must be carried out.

3. How does your department handle caesarean deliveries on maternal request (CDMRs)?

We initially have a detailed discussion with the patient about the reasons as to why she wants a Caesarean section.
In the case of young patients whose main motivation for getting a Caesarean section is worry about pain, we try to encourage them to have a spontaneous delivery with the offer of an EDA.

4. How is the birth companion included during the labour (incl. caesareans)?

Partners, or other companions, are present for 80-90% of deliveries. We also allow this for Caesarean sections.

5. To what extent is the woman free to choose the birthing position?

The patient can choose her own birthing position. The accompanying midwife will support her in this.

6. Please describe how pain is managed.

In order to help patients to better manage their labour pains, we support them with the help of a relaxation bath, as well as medical opportunities, such as administering Nalbuphine and EDA.

7. How is the “comfort factor” taken into account during the birth?

We try to get the feelgood factor right during the birth, through various measures such as a relaxation bath. Furthermore, we are aware how important it is that a partner or another person in a position of trust is present at the birth.

8. What is your department’s position on the use of complementary medical treatments (acupuncture, homoeopathy, aromatherapy etc.)?

Our midwives are trained in homoeopathic medicine. This means that we can offer both pregnant women and women giving birth the use of homoeopathic methods.

9. How does your department encourage bonding after vaginal delivery and delivery by caesarean section?

We are eager to support the earliest possible mother-child contact (bonding). This happens directly after a natural birth. However, it is even possible for bonding to occur during Caesarean section surgery.

10. What kind support does your department offer for women who experience psychological or social difficulties during or after the birth?

If the patient needs psychological or social support, we have 4 clinical psychologists available to help. However, medical staff and midwives will also be there to support patients.

11. What is your department’s position on rooming in?

Rooming in is a very important measure which helps to support the bonding process. We try to support this as a standard practice, as long as there are no medical reasons against it.

12. What is your department’s approach to breastfeeding?

We are aware of the long-term benefits of breastfeeding, and do everything we can to support the mother in this.

13. To what extent does your department accommodate cultural wishes/requests?

Our patients come from all cultures and corners of the earth, and we try to meet a wide range of cultural requirements.

14. How does your department handle foreign languages?

If there are language barriers, we manage to accommodate patients with the help of professional interpreters, and colleagues / midwives with foreign language skills.

15. What is your department’s position on outpatient birth and early (“premature”) discharge?

An inpatient birth (early discharge) after the child has been examined by a paediatrician, and the mother by a birth helper, is possible in principle.