Illustration of a baby.

-

M.Libert / 20 Minutes

“Natural” childbirth could develop in France.

The deputies took a step in this direction on Friday, by voting in favor of the development of birth centers, autonomous structures where midwives perform physiological deliveries.

LFI and Communists warn against a “risk of competition” with public maternity hospitals.

Authorized on an experimental basis in 2015, eight structures of this type are currently located in six French regions with "positive results", according to the commentary accompanying the draft social security budget in 2021. The text provides for the creation of two years. twelve new structures, while the United States has 150, the United Kingdom 169 or Germany a hundred.

A classic maternity hospital always nearby

To develop these houses, the Minister of Health Olivier Véran insisted on the concept of "health security".

An amendment by the socialist Hélène Vainqueur-Christophe, specified by the government, thus emphasizes that these structures must be in “close proximity” to a partner maternity hospital, in order to allow urgent transfer in the event of a problem during childbirth.

Several deputies praised the development of these houses, which allows women to choose the type of childbirth that suits them.

The rebellious Caroline Fiat and the communist Pierre Dharréville, however, warned against a risk of "renunciation" or "competition" with public maternities and "closing small maternities".

"A birth center must necessarily be contiguous to a maternity hospital, so there is no competition between them", replied LREM rapporteur Thomas Mesnier.

The aim is to “meet an expectation”, not “to encourage all women to give birth in birthing centers.

Birthing centers carry out an average of 125 deliveries per year, so this is not really going to weaken the fabric of maternity hospitals, ”he said.

Health

Maternity: Visit of the birth center in Paris, a cozy cocoon for couples wishing to give birth without a doctor

Health

Postpartum taboo is slowly crumbling, but much remains to be done to support mothers

  • Baby

  • Society

  • Birth

  • Delivery