Single mothers should no longer give birth at home if it is clear in advance that there are risks that stand in the way of a safe birth of a child. That is the opinion of Prof. Koos van der Velden of the Pregnancy and Birth Steering Group.
Van der Velden calls situations where the mother has had problems with childbirth before, psychological problems has or has a disease such as diabetes † He also thinks of situations in which women live high up in a small apartment, as a result of which the women with complications still have to be hoisted outside by the fire brigade with a stretcher. Also, women who are known to be abused at home by, for example, their partner, shouldn't give birth at home , says the professor. He advocates birth centers where these women can give birth in peace and with good medical supervision.
According to van der Velden, the reach of Dutch birth care is very short † He believes that more energy should be put into contact with 'problem groups'. These women are often not even known by maternity care , while they are at risk of complications. According to him, care providers should also explain why it is important that they receive help during pregnancy and birth †
Prof. dr. Koos Van der Velden is professor of Public Health at the University Medical Center St Radboud in Nijmegen.
