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Table 2 Characteristics of Dutch birth centres (September 2013)

From: Defining and describing birth centres in the Netherlands - a component study of the Dutch Birth Centre Study

 

Freestanding birth centre

n = 3

Alongside birth centre

n = 14

On-site birth centre n = 6

Total

n = 23 (%)

Length of operation (in years)

    

 < 2

1

7

4

12 (52)

 2 to 6

1

5

1

7 (30)

 6+

1

2

1

4 (17)

Location

    

 Not in a hospital

1

  

1 (4)

 In a hospital without obstetric unit

2

  

2 (9)

 Attached to a hospital with an obstetric unit

 

1

 

1 (4)

 In a hospital on a different floor than the obstetric unit

 

5

 

5 (22)

 In a hospital on the same floor but on a different ward than the obstetric unit

 

6

 

6 (27)

 In a hospital on the same floor on the same ward as the obstetric unit

 

2

6

8 (35)

Number of women receiving intrapartum birth centre care in 2013 a

    

 0–300

3

3

2

8 (35)

 301–1000

 

8

2

10 (43)

 1000+

 

2

1

3 (23)

No ‘medical’ equipment in sight

3

11

3

17 (74)

Birth chair

3

13

6

22 (96)

Medium risk-indications in birth centre

  

4

4 (17)

24/7 caregiver at birth centre

1

6

5

12 (52)

Moment of admittance at birth centre for women in labour

    

 As indicated by the woman

3

7

2

12 (52)

 As indicated by the community midwife

 

7

4

11 (48)

 Always

3

4

 

7 (30)

 Always, with exceptions

 

10

 

10 (43)

 Not needed

  

6

6 (27)

Birth assistance by a maternity care assistant (MCA)

3

14

6

23 (100)

 One-to-one support by MCA

1

7

4

12 (52)

Possibility to stay over postpartum (without medical indication)

1

7

5

13 (57)

 Change rooms postpartum for stay over

 

3

1

4 (17)

Hotel facilities in the birthing room

    

 Television

2

12

5

19 (83)

 WiFi

2

14

4 (67)

20 (87)

 Music-installation

3

10

3 (50)

16 (70)

 Normal bed for partner

1

4

2 (33)

7 (30)

 Coffee maker

3

12

3 (50)

18 (78)

 Fridge

1

9

6

16 (70)

 Microwave

2

10

1

13 (57)

  1. afor two birth centres these data are not available because they started during 2013