Birth risk in Saxony: Longer journeys to clinics!

Birth risk in Saxony: Longer journeys to clinics!

There are currently worrying trends in the field of obstetric care in Saxony. Longer journeys to clinics and faster births create more and more delicate situations for pregnant women. This has led to several women being admitted to the Lausitzer Seenland Klinikum this year after unplanned home births. The impact of the closure of maternity wards is already being felt, falling from 47 in 2010 to just 31. Sächsische.de reports that rural maternity wards in particular have been closed in the last 15 years, which has made journeys significantly longer for many pregnant women.

The closures of maternity wards lead to centralized maternity care in larger hospitals, which is seen as an increase in quality. The more routine the staff has, the safer the obstetric procedures are for mother and child. The Saxon Ministry of Social Affairs, on the other hand, emphasizes that nationwide coverage is guaranteed with a guideline of 40 minutes of accessibility. In fact, some places exceed this time limit, posing a worrying risk. The Saxon Midwives Association emphasizes that centralization also puts a strain on the everyday working life of midwives, who are affected by longer journeys and increased stress.

Financial challenges for clinics and midwives

The financial situation of the clinics is another sticking point. Maternity wards are expensive due to the high demands on staff and quality, which poses major challenges for many small hospitals. The Hospital Society of Saxony (KGS) points out that some small clinics are often unable to maintain the necessary round-the-clock availability, which results in the closure of further wards. In this context, Saxony invests almost six million euros annually in a funding program to maintain hospital structures.

When dealing with falling birth rates and growing competitive pressure, many midwives have existential fears. This was recently discussed at the 26th Rabenstein Midwives Day in the DRK Hospital Chemnitz Rabenstein. Representatives of the Saxon Midwives Association, among others, took part in the event and discussed the upgrading of midwives in the public service as well as the new midwifery assistance contract from January 1st, 2025. A current project, the “on-site midwife”, could help, but unresolved insurance issues continue to be a hurdle for getting started in Saxony.

Future prospects in obstetrics

Despite the challenges, there are bright spots. In Freital there are approaches to cooperation between clinics, midwifery practices and outpatient care centers in order to close the existing gaps in care. Innovative models from other federal states, such as the Hessian model, where midwives are alerted together with the emergency services in emergencies, could also receive attention in Saxony.

Current developments show that dialogue and networking are crucial for the future of obstetrics in Saxony. Only through cooperation and creative solutions can the quality of care be ensured in the long term. Pregnant women and their families expect nothing less than a reliable and safe place to give birth - and there is still a lot to do.