SMZ Ost – Donauspital

Facts and Figures

Births per year 1794
Rate of episiotomy (perineotomy) in natural birth 10.81 %
cesarean section rate 18.28 %
Percentage of primary (planned) caesarean sections 28.65 %
Percentage of secondary (unplanned) caesarean sections 71.35 %
Rate of peridural/spinal anaesthesia (spinal block) during caesarean section 86.28 %
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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?: 5
What is the standard of equipment? available
Birthing stool
Birth wheel
Pezzi ball
Wall bars
own wetroom / WC
Number of birthing tubs:1
Care from pregnancy week:24
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 8
Rooms with three or four beds 5
Five or more beds 0
special class
Single rooms 2
Double rooms 6
Routine discharge after spontaneous birth in days3
Routine discharge after Caesarean section in days5

1. Please describe your department’s obstetric philosophy

We see obstetrics as a level of social development. Uncomplicated pregnancies and births are distinguished from clearly increasing risky pregnancies and births.

The motto is individual, risk-adapted care.

As a perinatal centre we offer normal births in the case of breech presentations, twins and premature births. The resources of the centre with regard to both personnel and equipment facilitate this approach. Elective caesarean sections are not performed at our centre.

The highest objective is a healthy mother and a healthy child.  The way to achieve this objective distinguishes us from many other departments since, in our experience, caesarean sections are not the safest way for mother and child.

Moreover, as a perinatal centre, we are the place to go for risky pregnancies and births and we look after the whole of Austria together with AKH Vienna.

The third focus of the department is the care of children with congenital or acquired abnormalities who require special care by other departments after the birth (e.g. neonatology, paediatric surgery, neurosurgery, maxillofacial surgery…).

As a centre, we also care for women with serious underlying conditions during pregnancy and childbirth by means of consultants.

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

Admission for birth ideally occurs when the cervix is dilated 3-5 cm and regular labour is under way. After ensuring that the expectant mother and baby are doing well, the woman should contribute actively to the birth of the child as calmly as possible. Bathtubs, Pezzi balls and birthing stools are available and are also used. Essential oils, acupuncture and homoeopathy help to alleviate pain.

We try to create a pleasant atmosphere for the woman in the event of normal progression.

In principle, we see birth as a natural process and do not want to pathologise it.

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

What we do not do. In the case of relative indications for a caesarean section we conduct detailed discussions for clarification and care for the women individually.

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

An accompanying person can remain at the expectant mother’s side during the entire birth process and afterwards.
No accompanying person is permitted at a caesarean section for reasons of sterility, hygiene and space.

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

For any labour that is progressing normal, the woman can choose the position and location freely. (water, stool…). We also attempt breech births in an all-fours position.

6. Please describe how pain is managed.

All modern pain medication including epidural anaesthesia is available at our centre at any time of day or night if required.

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

Die Geburt ist ein elementares Erlebnis und soweit medizinisch vertretbar, kann die gut vorbereitete Frau die Geburt selbst gestalten.

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

Available and very helpful for many women.

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

Natural, active support by midwives and paediatric nurses.

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

A clinical psychologist with a 20-hour contract is available in the mornings. A social worker from Mag 11 is also in attendance daily.

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

Very positive and gladly accepted by many mothers. We also do not condemn anyone who wants to let the baby be cared for briefly in the nursery after the efforts of a natural birth.

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

Sehr positiv, intensive Förderung. Wir orientieren uns auch im Bezug auf Füttern von Muttermilch bei Frühgeborenen nach wissenschaftlicher Erkenntnis.

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

Im Rahmen der organisatorischen Möglichkeiten wird darauf Rücksicht genommen.

14. How does your department handle foreign languages?

Unfortunately interpreters for all languages are not available round the clock. In medical-forensic delicate issues it is attempted to obtain interpreters, in some cases hospital staff from different departments.

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

Positive, if a post-operational midwife present.