Differences in optimality index between planned place of birth in a birth centre and alternative planned places of birth, a nationwide prospective cohort study in The Netherlands: results of the Dutch Birth Centre Study

Objectives To compare the Optimality Index of planned birth in a birth centre with planned birth in a hospital and planned home birth for low-risk term pregnant women who start labour under the responsibility of a community midwife. Design Prospective cohort study. Setting Low-risk pregnant women under care of a community midwife and living in a...

Data of Dutch homebirths needs rectification

Etnische verschillen in de voorkeur voor thuisbevallingen en het zorgtraject dat zwangeren doorlopen [Ethnic differences in preference for home delivery and in pregnancy care received by pregnant women]

Objective. To investigate differences among pregnant women from various ethnic groups in terms of pregnancy care and the place of delivery. Design. Descriptive, retrospective study. Method. Data from the Dutch Perinatal Registries during the period 1995-2002, representing a total of 1,401,892 pregnancies, were linked and analysed for perinatal...

Evaluation of 280 000 cases in Dutch midwifery practices: A descriptive study

Objective: To assess the nature and outcome of intrapartum referrals from primary to secondary care within the Dutch obstetric system. Design: Descriptive study. Setting: Dutch midwifery database (LVR1), covering 95% of all midwifery care and 80% of all Dutch pregnancies (2001-03). Population: Low-risk women (280 097) under exclusive care of a...

Perinatal factors related to negative or positive recall of birth experience in women 3 years postpartum in the Netherlands

Background: Little research has been conducted to date on women's postnatal emotional well-being and satisfaction with the care received in the Netherlands. The aim of this study was to investigate Dutch women's views of their birth experience 3 years after the event. Methods: A questionnaire was mailed to all women who had given birth in 2001...

Infant milk feeding practices in the Netherlands and associated factors

Aim: The aim of the study was to describe infant feeding practices and associated factors, and to explore mothers' main reasons for starting and stopping breastfeeding. Methods: We performed a national inquiry into milk feeding practices among 9133 Dutch infants aged <7 mo by means of a questionnaire. Results: 78% of mothers initiated...

Maternal factors and the probability of a planned home birth

Objectives: In the Netherlands, approximately one-third of births are planned home births, mostly supervised by a midwife. The relationship between maternal demographic factors and home births supervised by midwives was examined. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Dutch national perinatal registries of the year 2000. Population: All women...