Demands on obstetrical care in the urban environment: postpartal survey

In recent years, obstetrical management reflecting the individual needs of parturient women and newborn children has acquired an increasing significance. Today, the majority of obstetrical departments provide alternatives to traditional methods of delivery. The purpose of this study was to analyze the current obstetric situation as perceived by the women concerned. During the lying-in period spent in the care of the obstetrical department, 386 women were interviewed as to their birth experience. The questionnaire employed used a predominantly structured format. The present study examined a total of six of Vienna's municipal hospitals. The majority of women interviewed were satisfied with the standard of care provided by obstetricians and midwives. However, certain administrative and organizational aspects were subject to criticism, for example, shift changes among the medical staff as well as the presence of an excessive number of people during delivery were felt to detract from the intimate character of giving birth. In general, the standards of care provided by urban obstetrical departments as well as the experience of giving birth itself confirmed women's expectations. However, certain areas remain where improvements seem both desirable and feasible without requiring undue effort. Women who gave a positive assessment of their personal experience of delivery also tended to carry away a favorable impression of their stay in hospital as a whole.