Organization of perinatal care within the European community

A survey on the infrastructure and organization of maternity and neonatal services in the European Community has been conducted within the framework of the European Community Concerted Action Project 'New Methods for Perinatal Surveillance'. Objectives were to provide a basis for comparative evaluation of perinatal studies, to achieve a better understanding of differences in national perinatal services and to identify problem areas in provision of perinatal care. Data concern general maternal statistics, structure of maternity services and organization of maternity and neonatal services. Similarities between the perinatal services of the countries surveyed outweigh local deficiencies in some aspects of care and organization. Information tabulated in this survey can serve as a stimulant to reach a better understanding of current health care for pregnant mothers and their newborns within the European Community.