Table 2 Criteria for mother-friendly care in Austria [13]
A natural birth experience is a significant prerequisite for successful breastfeeding. Therefore, mother-friendly care is a compulsory part of BFHI-certification. The criteria require, unless medically indicated that: | |
|---|---|
a) | Mothers can bring a companion of their choice to provide continuous physical and/or emotional support during labor and birth, as desired. |
b) | Mothers can drink and eat light foods during labor, as desired. |
c) | Mothers can walk and move about during labor, as desired. |
d) | Mothers can choose a position while giving birth. |
e) | Mothers should be offered the use of non-drug methods of pain relief. |
f) | Invasive procedures such as rupture of the membranes, episiotomies, acceleration or induction of labor, instrumental deliveries, or caesarean sections should be used only for medical indications. |
g) | Standards, guidelines and training curricula of the maternity unit support mother-friendly care. |