Catalonia boasts a natural childbirth centre

The facility combines the comfort of a home with the security of a hospital

Casa Laietània, a new childbirth centre, at the Germans Trias Hospital in Badalona has officially been operational since Monday, 5 July. It is a natural childbirth care space designed to mimic the ambience of one’s home, but with the added security of being located in a high-level hospital.

An innovative model for low-risk childbirth care

Pregnant women who want a non-medical birth can do so in an intimate and welcoming environment, with the security of having near them - separated only by a door - a guard team composed of an obstetrician, a gynaecologist, a neonatologist and an anesthesiologist, in case it was deemed necessary.

Casa Laietània is the first of its kind at this Catalan hospital. What is also great about it is that it is open every day of the year for 24 hours.

On the day of delivery, the pregnant woman may be accompanied by her partner or companion throughout the process. If she has previous children, they can be present as well. There is a space for games and furniture specifically adapted for children.

Casa Laietània offers a model of maternity care that is focused on the women and their families, guaranteeing respect and safe care. It is aimed at women who have uncomplicated pregnancies, and for whom a low-risk birth is expected. Some mothers-to-be prefer a non-medicalized physiological birth in an intimate and welcoming environment.

A midwife will accompany the woman throughout the birth process and afterwards in order to provide care and support. Patient discharge will be between 6 and 12 hours after the delivery when the new moms can go home directly from the birth centre unless there is reason to remain in the hospital.

In addition, the birth centre promotes mobility and intimacy during childbirth and postpartum. As such, it is equipped with:

• Furniture at different heights that promote postural freedom;
• Practicable floors with mattresses and postural support elements (balls, stools, etc.);
• Natural light and the possibility of shadows and regulation of light intensity;
• Furniture that allows curled-up positions;
• Items that can be customized according to cultural or personal aspects (smells, music, etc.).