Giving birth in Italy: a guide for mums-to-be on choosing the right hospital
Choosing which hospital to give birth in is a crucial decision that can greatly influence your birthing experience. There are many specific factors to consider to ensure that you have a positive birth experience, as close as possible to your wishes and expectations. Here is a guide to help you make the right decision.
- Research and information
The first step in choosing the right birthplace for you is to research thoroughly during your pregnancy what is most important to you and how you would like to experience your birth.
Attending prenatal classes can give you a lot of information and help you to understand what are the most important aspects of respecting the physiology of childbirth, what are the most common hospital procedures and what are the international recommendations to ensure that women have a positive birth experience (to find out more click here: https://www.elenaiannelli.it/en/the-latest-who-recommendations-for-a-positive-childbirth-experience/)
Talk to your midwife or gynaecologist and ask for recommendations based on your priorities. Also consult friends and relatives who have recently given birth and ask how they found the facility of their choice. Visit the websites of local hospitals to gather information about their services and facilities and find out if they have any open days planned.
- Choice of place and type of birth
Every mother has different wishes and ideas about how she would like her birth to be.
If your pregnancy is physiological, you can choose to have your baby in different facilities:
- Hospital
- Private clinic
- At home
- In a birth centre (or maternity home, run by midwives)
Remember that you can also choose to manage the first part of labour at home, always guided by a midwife, and go to the hospital a little later.
If, on the other hand, you have been diagnosed with some medical condition (e.g. gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, some special need of your baby or other), choose a hospital facility with specific expertise for your needs. I suggest you always talk to your midwife or gynaecologist who, knowing your medical and obstetrical history, will be able to advise you on the best choice.
If you are considering a home birth or a birth centre, do not hesitate to contact me, I can explain in detail your options and what to do.
Some hospitals/clinics offer more childbirth options than others, such as waterbirth, delivery with epidural analgesia, or in the case of a caesarean, a gentler approach called Gentle Caesarean (find out what it is here: https://www.elenaiannelli.it/en/find-out-how-to-have-a-positive-birth-experience-with-a-gentle-caesarean/)
Check that the hospital or facility you choose supports the type of birth you want and that the staff is trained to handle any changes in your birth plan.
- Hospital reputation
The reputation of the hospital is a key factor. You can look for reviews and ratings online or on mothers’ forums, but for more personalised advice I recommend that you consult a midwife, who will be able to direct you more specifically by listening to your wishes, doubts and fears.
It may be useful, for example, to know the caesarean section rates of a particular facility over the last year: this will allow you to understand the degree of medicalisation and the management of childbirth care in the place you have chosen (remember that the WHO considers that the ideal caesarean section rate should be between 10% and 15%; in Italy and other countries we are well above this threshold. A very high rate is considered to be above 35%).
- Availability of services
Some of the services offered may be very important to you and really decisive for your birth experience. Referring to the international recommendations for a positive birthing experience, you could for instance ask the facility of your choice what their policy is regarding birth partners (whether they let them in right away or only at a certain time, whether they can stay with you after the birth, etc), whether they promote active birth with a choice of free birthing positions, whether you can practice skin-to-skin contact uninterruptedly after birth, whether you can keep your baby in the room with you 24 hours a day (rooming-in), as this will help a lot in the early initiation of breastfeeding and, last but not least, the quality of postpartum care and breastfeeding support.
The WHO states that every woman should give birth in the place she feels safest for herself, and therefore the choice of birth place is strictly personal. You may feel safer and more comfortable in a large hospital, which involves a lot of hustle and bustle of doctors and hospital staff, or in a smaller, quieter setting where the physiological timing of childbirth is respected and where there is less chance of what are called ‘unnecessary medical interventions’.
- Comfort and facilities
The environment in which you give birth can greatly influence your experience. Visit potential hospitals/clinics/ birth centres to see the facilities for yourself. Some aspects to consider include:
- Private or shared rooms;
- Possibility of having a birth partner;
- Access to equipment such as birthing balls (fitballs), mats, showers/tubs…);
- Equipment for listening to music, soft lighting.
- Postpartum Support Programmes
Support does not end with childbirth. Check if the hospital offers postnatal support programmes, such as breastfeeding counselling, support groups for new mothers and newborn care services. In Italy, many ASLs (Aziende Sanitarie Locali) offer such services.
- Proximity and Accessibility
The place you choose should be easily accessible, especially in case you decide to do part of the labour at home, always accompanied by a midwife, and move only later. Consider the distance from your home and the availability of parking or public transport. In large Italian cities, traffic can be a factor to take into account.
- Costs and insurance
In Italy, the National Health Service (Servizio Sanitario Nazionale – SSN) covers many of the costs related to childbirth. However, be aware of additional costs that may apply, especially if you choose a private hospital or a private ward in a public facility. Check which hospitals are affiliated with your health insurance, if you have one.
Take time to make the right choice
Choosing which hospital to give birth in is an important personal decision. Take your time to weigh up all the available options and choose the hospital that best meets your needs and preferences. Remember, your comfort and safety, along with that of your baby, are the top priority. Good luck and best wishes for your next arrival!
