Transforming Maternity Care: A New Senate Initiative for Improved Birth Oversight

2024-09-11 15:27:47
A pregnant woman under monitoring in a Parisian maternity ward, June 29, 2022. CHRISTOPHE ARCHAMBAULT / AFP

Fewer maternity wards for giving birth, but more ” security “ et “supervision”despite the shortage of caregivers: a Senate report calls, Wednesday September 11, for “transforming the provision of perinatal care”, facing a “degradation” in France, indicators on the health of mothers and newborns.

After good results at the beginning of the 21st century in terms of perinatal health (from pregnancy to the child’s first birthday), France now has in particular “more deaths of newborns and babies” than many European countries. France is thus ranked 22nd for infant mortality, warns this information report, produced at the request of the parliamentary group in the Senate RDSE (Democratic, Social and European Rally).

“Beyond six months of pregnancy, one in a hundred babies is stillborn or dies in the first week.” and 7% of births are premature, leading to a significant “care load” for the hospital. Physical and psychological complications are also more “frequent” among mothers, notes this document.

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“Fragility” of healthcare provision

Among the causes identified are increasingly late pregnancy, poor health of mothers (obesity, gestational diabetes, poverty, etc.) but also “fragility” of the healthcare provision. The rapporteur, Véronique Guillotin (PR), deplores a lack of intensive care beds, often incomplete care teams, “closures” temporary unplanned situations due to lack of staff, or even increased risks, in the event of complications, in certain establishments.

She notes the decline in the birth rate (-20% since 2010) and the growing demand for childbirth. “less medicalized”estimating the current network “unsuitable” to needs, resources and security requirements.

It’s necessary ” to assume “ on « transformation »not on the basis of the maternity activity threshold as before, but from a “assessment of structures and needs” territorial, she argues. The rapporteur calls for the establishment of a map and specific indicators, to move towards “fewer technical platforms”but to “high level of security”including a “plurality of birth plans”.

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This must be accompanied by a “improving the provision of emergency medical transport”integrating perinatal health professionals, and “strengthening the local offer” for prenatal and postnatal monitoring, she recommends.

The report further recommends that “guarantee the number of professionals (obstetrician-gynecologists, pediatricians, anesthesiologists-resuscitators, midwives) by providing more training” and in “improving the attractiveness of careers”He also advocates a revision of the decrees, dating from 1998, which govern the practices, “to strengthen birth supervision ratios”with a gradual entry into force. Finally, it defends the guarantee, throughout the territory, of a minimum “one neonatal intensive care bed for every 1,000 births”.

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– ‌What ​are the main factors contributing to the decline in perinatal health indicators in France?

France’s ‌Perinatal Health Crisis: A Call to ​Transform Maternity Care

France, once a‍ leader ⁤in ⁢perinatal health, ‍is ‌now facing a crisis⁤ in its maternity wards. A‍ recent Senate report has sounded the alarm, highlighting ​the country’s decline in perinatal health indicators and the need for a radical ⁣transformation of its ​maternity care system.

A​ Decline in Perinatal Health Indicators

France has slipped to 22nd place in infant mortality rates, with higher numbers of newborn and baby deaths compared to other European countries. The report notes that‌ one in every 100 babies is stillborn or dies in the first week, and 7% of births are premature, placing a⁣ significant burden on hospitals. Furthermore, physical and psychological‍ complications are becoming more ⁣frequent among⁤ mothers.

Causes of the Crisis

The report identifies several‌ factors contributing to this crisis, including⁢ increasingly ‍late pregnancies, poor health among⁢ mothers, and ‍the “fragility” of the healthcare provision. The lack of intensive care ‌beds, incomplete care teams, and temporary closures due ⁣to staff shortages have all contributed to the decline in‌ perinatal ⁤health.

The Need for ‍Transformation

To address this crisis, the report calls for a complete ‍overhaul of the maternity care system. The current network‍ is deemed “unsuitable” to the needs,⁣ resources, and security requirements of modern perinatal care. The rapporteur, Véronique Guillotin, suggests that the focus should shift from the number of maternity wards to an assessment of structures and needs at the territorial level.

Key Recommendations

The report makes several key recommendations to transform⁢ perinatal care in France:

  1. Establish a map and specific indicators: To ensure that maternity​ care is tailored to the needs⁢ of each region, a map and specific indicators should be established to guide the development of perinatal care services.
  2. Fewer⁤ technical‌ platforms, but with a high level of security: The focus should be on creating fewer, but⁤ better-equipped, maternity wards that ‍provide a high level of security for mothers and newborns.
  3. Plurality of birth plans: Women should have the ⁣freedom to choose the course of care that suits them, including the option⁤ of home births or birthing centers.
  4. Improve emergency medical transport: The report ⁢recommends strengthening emergency medical transport ‌services, integrating ‌perinatal health professionals to ‍ensure timely and effective care.
  5. Strengthen local ⁢offer: Local prenatal and postnatal monitoring services should be ⁢improved to provide better support to mothers and newborns.
  6. Guarantee the number of professionals: The report calls for more training and improved career attractiveness ‍to ensure that there⁢ are enough obstetrician-gynecologists, pediatricians, anesthesiologists-resuscitators, ​and midwives to ⁣meet the needs of mothers and newborns.

Conclusion

The crisis in perinatal​ health in France is a pressing concern ⁣that requires immediate attention. By transforming its maternity ​care system, France can⁢ once again become a leader in perinatal health, providing better outcomes for mothers and newborns. The ⁣Senate report’s recommendations provide a roadmap for this transformation, and it is ⁢now up to policymakers and healthcare professionals to take action.

Keywords: ⁤perinatal health, maternity care, France, infant mortality, pregnancy, childbirth, healthcare reform, Senate report.

Meta Description: France is facing a crisis in its maternity wards,⁤ with declining perinatal health indicators and a shortage ⁣of caregivers. A ⁤recent Senate report calls for a transformation of the maternity care system to improve outcomes for‌ mothers ‍and newborns.

Header Tags:

H1: France’s Perinatal Health Crisis: A Call to Transform Maternity Care

H2: A Decline in Perinatal Health Indicators

H2: Causes of ‍the​ Crisis

H2: The Need for Transformation

H2: Key Recommendations

H2: Conclusion

Requires immediate and coordinated action. The Senate report serves as a critical call to transform perinatal care and ensure the health and safety of mothers and newborns across the country.

Transforming Perinatal Care in France: A Senate Report Calls for Urgent Action

France, once a leader in perinatal health, is now facing a decline in maternal and newborn health indicators. A recent Senate report has sounded the alarm, highlighting the need for a comprehensive transformation of perinatal care provision in the country. The report calls for a radical shift in the approach to maternity care, prioritizing security, supervision, and a more equitable distribution of resources.

Decline in Perinatal Health Indicators

France has witnessed a steady decline in perinatal health indicators over the past decade. The country now ranks 22nd in infant mortality rates among European countries, with higher rates of newborn deaths and prematurity. According to the report, one in every 100 babies is stillborn or dies in the first week, while 7% of births are premature, placing a significant burden on hospitals. Moreover, mothers are experiencing more physical and psychological complications, underscoring the need for urgent action.

Fragility of Healthcare Provision

The report identifies several factors contributing to the decline in perinatal health indicators, including late pregnancies, poor maternal health, and the fragility of healthcare provision. The lack of intensive care beds, incomplete care teams, and temporary closures due to staff shortages are exacerbating the problem. The current network of maternity wards is deemed unsuitable to meet the growing demand for childbirth, resources, and security requirements.

Recommendations for Transformation

The report recommends a transformative approach to perinatal care, moving away from the current model based on maternity activity thresholds. Instead, it advocates for an assessment of structures and needs based on territorial indicators. This would enable the establishment of fewer, but more secure, technical platforms, with a plurality of birth plans and improved emergency medical transport.

Strengthening the Local Offer

The report stresses the importance of strengthening the local offer for prenatal and postnatal monitoring, improving the provision of emergency medical transport, and guaranteeing the number of professionals in the field, including obstetrician-gynecologists, pediatricians, anesthesiologists-resuscitators, and midwives. It also recommends revising the decrees governing medical practices, dating back to 1998, to strengthen birth supervision ratios.

Prioritizing Security and Supervision

The Senate report emphasizes the need for a more secure and supervised approach to perinatal care, ensuring that mothers and newborns receive the highest level of care possible. This includes the guarantee of a minimum number of neonatal intensive care beds throughout the territory, as well as improved training and career development opportunities for healthcare professionals.

Conclusion

The decline in perinatal health indicators in France is a pressing concern that

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