There are many possible ways in which to give birth to your child. Discuss your individual wishes with your doctor and/or midwife, who can provide advice on the various available methods of childbirth. However, we do not recommend that you become too fixed on a certain wish: the birth process is often unforeseeable and thus requires a certain amount of flexibility.
According to your individual situation, you should decide in consultation with your doctor how you would like to give birth. Your doctor can provide you with detailed information concerning the advantages and disadvantages of a natural birth and of a Caesarean section. During the birth, you will be actively supported by a competent team of midwives and medical specialists. In the private clinic, your gynaecologist will be informed of the impending birth by our clinic personnel. Until your gynaecologist arrives, you will be cared for by a midwife.
The natural birth
If the pregnancy proceeds without complications and there is no need for a caesarean, the child is usually born through a natural vaginal birth.
Read more on our subpage natural birth.
Water birth
A warm bath can help you to relax during labour but it can also be suitable for the actual birth. If the mother feels unwell or that the safety of the child is in danger, the birth can be stopped at any time and continued outside of the birthing tub.
The birthing tub is larger than a normal bathtub and has several different handles and supports for hands and feet – getting in and out have to be as easy as possible. The tub is filled with water (without bath products) of between 34 and 36 degrees Celsius to approx. the height of the navel.
In principle, both the opening phase and the expulsive phase can take place in the water. The child is lifted from the water after birth and laid on the mother’s belly. Initial breastfeeding can take place in the water too.
Caesarean Section
In Switzerland, 15 to 20 percent of babies are currently delivered by Caesarean section – and the trend is rising. There are two kinds of Caesarean section: primary (planned) and secondary (unplanned).
Caesarean section procedure
In normal circumstances, a Caesarean section is performed under local anaesthetic. This enables you to experience the birth of your child in full consciousness. In a Caesarean section, the actual birth lasts only 5 to 10 minutes. The surgeon requires an additional 20 to 30 minutes to stitch up the incision.
Your partner may, of course, remain at your side during a Caesarean section. According to your wishes, your partner may either accompany you to the Observation Room following the procedure or can assist in attending to your child’s initial needs.
Planned Caesarean section
If your doctor determines before the birth that a vaginal delivery would be too risky or impossible, or if you decide to have a Caesarean section due to personal reasons, this is referred to as a planned Caesarean section. In this case, the Caesarean section is performed in approximately the 38th week of pregnancy, in order to prevent the onset of contractions or rupture of the amniotic sac.
Unplanned Caesarean section
If complications arise during the birth that could jeopardise the safety of mother and/or unborn child, an emergency Caesarean section must be formed under certain circumstances.
Possible medical indications of a planned Caesarean section:
- Head/pelvis disproportion
- Child is in a breech or transverse position
- Birth canal blocked by the placenta
- Placenta dislodges itself from the wall of the uterus
- Risk of premature birth where the unborn child is too weak for a normal birth
- Malformation of the unborn child (e.g. open spine, spina bifida)
Under normal circumstances, you will be admitted to hospital several hours before the Caesarean section is due to be performed. Please remember that you should go into the operation on an empty stomach. A midwife will examine you, inform you of the operating procedure and will then accompany you to Surgery, where our Anaesthetics team will be preparing to monitor your heart activity and circulation. Accompanied by the OP team, your gynaecologist, the midwife and a paediatrician, the Anaesthetics team will assume responsibility for caring for you throughout the Caesarean section.
Read more on our subpage caesarean birth.