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During the birth

Every birth is a unique experience that brings both challenges and joyful moments. We create the conditions for you and your baby to feel safe at all times. In addition to our specially trained staff, you have access to the latest technology and all conventional medical treatment options, including complementary medical methods. Together we will choose the path that is best for you and your child.

Tour of the building department

We would be happy to take you on a tour of the Zollikerberg Hospital's labour ward. Our midwives are there for you throughout the entire labour process. They will monitor the progress of your labour, show you different positions and positions and also offer you acupuncture, aromatherapy and massages on request.

For a positive birth experience

Woman sits on blue exercise ball and holds on to cloth - fitness concept.

If you do not have a gynaecologist, you can also have your pregnancy checks carried out at the outpatient clinic of the Women's Clinic or at the Women's Permanence Zurich at Zollikerberg Hospital (Zurich Stadelhofen).

Outpatient birth

Many mothers usually stay with us at the Maternité for up to three nights after the birth. If everything is in order and you wish, you can also go home around six hours after the birth.

Important points when planning an outpatient birth:

  • Inform your doctor while you are still pregnant and discuss your concerns.
  • Before the birth, contact a midwife in your local community so that you can count on their support in the first period after the birth. Visit the Familystart Zurich website for more information.
  • Decide before the birth on a paediatrician in your area who will look after your baby at home after the birth. The same applies if you only want to stay in the postnatal ward for a short time.

Birth positions

You will no doubt have already thought about birth positions before the birth and developed ideas about how the birth process could take place. But it is only during labour that you really feel where and how you are most comfortable. There may be a position for you in bed in which you can tolerate the labour well and progress the birth. However, you may feel more comfortable on the stool, on the wall bars, on the ball or in the water. In order to find the most comfortable birthing position for you, our midwives and doctors are very flexible and will actively support you with their expertise.

Pregnant woman with CTG belts for monitoring the foetal heart rate in hospital.

Breastfeeding counselling

Outpatient birth

Many mothers usually stay with us at the Maternité for up to three nights after the birth. If everything is in order and you wish, you can also go home around six hours after the birth.

Important points when planning an outpatient birth:

  • Inform your doctor while you are still pregnant and discuss your concerns.
  • Before the birth, contact a midwife in your local community so that you can count on their support in the first period after the birth. Visit the Familystart Zurich website for more information.
  • Decide before the birth on a paediatrician in your area who will look after your baby at home after the birth. The same applies if you only want to stay in the postnatal ward for a short time.

Caesarean section

Pregnant woman resting sideways on a couch.

Caesarean section

Caesarean section

Most expectant mothers want a natural birth - in the reassuring knowledge that a caesarean section is also possible in an emergency. Others prefer a planned caesarean section. With us, both options are possible.

It is important that you know the advantages and disadvantages of a caesarean section. This will enable you to decide together with your doctor and midwife what is best for you and your child. A neonatologist will also be present if you request a planned caesarean section. In the case of an emergency caesarean section, the neonatologist will be present depending on the classification.

A caesarean section is an operation that takes around 45 minutes. The baby is born during the first five to ten minutes. The various layers of the abdominal wall are then closed again. If the caesarean section is planned, it is usually performed under a partial anaesthetic so that you and the person accompanying you can witness the arrival of your baby while you are conscious. In the case of an emergency caesarean section, a general anaesthetic may be necessary.

Pain relief during labour

Our primary goal is for you to experience a safe birth and feel secure with us. Labour pain cannot be completely avoided, but it is possible to alleviate it. Good labour preparation forms the basis for this. You will learn various techniques for pain relief, such as relaxation and breathing exercises. During labour, there are various ways to alleviate the pain or even largely eliminate it if you wish.

We work with complementary medical methods such as homeopathy, massages or compresses with herbal essences and aromatherapy applications. We also use PCA (Patient Controlled Analgesia) and peridural anaesthesia (PDA). This involves inserting a catheter in the lumbar spine, close to the spinal cord, to anaesthetise the nerves in the lower body. An experienced anaesthetist is available around the clock and can perform the epidural anaesthesia.

Neugeborenes mit Mütze schläft auf Handtuch.

Midwife consultation

Caesarean section

Most expectant mothers want a natural birth - in the reassuring knowledge that a caesarean section is also possible in an emergency. Others prefer a planned caesarean section. With us, both options are possible.

It is important that you know the advantages and disadvantages of a caesarean section. This will enable you to decide together with your doctor and midwife what is best for you and your child. A neonatologist will also be present if you request a planned caesarean section. In the case of an emergency caesarean section, the neonatologist will be present depending on the classification.

A caesarean section is an operation that takes around 45 minutes. The baby is born during the first five to ten minutes. The various layers of the abdominal wall are then closed again. If the caesarean section is planned, it is usually performed under a partial anaesthetic so that you and the person accompanying you can witness the arrival of your baby while you are conscious. In the case of an emergency caesarean section, a general anaesthetic may be necessary.

We also look after you in the event of a high-risk pregnancy

If it becomes apparent during your pregnancy that certain challenges could arise, we take appropriate measures at an early stage - for example, by involving a doctor from the neonatology department (medicine for newborns) in the birth process right from the start. This ensures that your baby receives the best possible medical care as soon as it needs it. The medical teams are available around the clock. No matter what happens, the midwives and doctors will use their extensive experience to support your wishes as much as possible and respond to your individual situation.

Our building department

  • Modern waiting area with blue sofas, magazine rack and view of an inner courtyard.
  • Hospital operating theatre with medical equipment and operating table.
  • Hospital birthing room with delivery bed and birthing bathtub.
  • Modern blue round pool in a light-coloured interior with steps and stainless steel shower fitting.

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