[Omphalocele and gastroschisis in Tirol-incidence and epidemiology 1985-1996]

There are basic differences between the Dutch and the Austrian systems of prenatal care, care during birth and postpartum care: whereas in the Netherlands every effort is made to keep care within the bounds of the eerste lijn - primary health care with midwives and general practitioners as primary providers - in Austria the federal 'family relief fund' and the 'mother and child passport' program have created an elaborate system in which care during pregnancy is not only free but providing antenatal care brings extra payments to the doctor and taking it brings extra money to the pregnant woman. The workings of both systems and the roles of midwives, doctors, hospitals and health insurers are explained and discussed.