Brussels birth culture is changing
New midwife-led units, or birth centres, in Brussels hospitals as from September 2024 will offer expectant mothers greater choice about where and how they birth. But at just a few months from the start date, is the healthcare system ready?
Birthing Room
In Brussels from September 2024, expectant parents will have more choice than ever when it comes their birth choices. All Brussels hospitals that have a maternity ward will have to open a midwife-led unit, or birth centre. This is an internal hospital unit where a fit, healthy woman pregnant with a healthy baby can be cared for exclusively by midwives.
Hospitals that cannot offer this will have to allow access to their delivery rooms to general practitioners and independent midwives. The philosophy behind the move is to promote physiological birth (i.e. without the need for clinical interventions), a focus on continuity of care, and informed decision-making.
If you would like to know more about how the Brussels birth culture is changing and whether Belgian healthcare system is ready then why not check out my article on www.thevillage.be
