Dutch obstetric care: home or hospital, midwife or gynaecologist?

The Dutch obstetric system is traditionally characterized by extensive primary health services, supported by more specialized care. Midwives and GPs are responsible for normal deliveries, obstetricians for the deliveries considered high risk. Home deliveries are fairly common. Over the last decade this relatively positive approach to reproduction has threatened to give place to methods that seem to oppose the goals of health promotion. The percentage of home deliveries has declined from 57% in 1970 to 35% in 1985. The distinction between normal and pathological pregnancies and deliveries has b... Mehr ...