What is QUAG e.V. actually?

The non-profit organisation *Gesellschaft für Qualität in der außerklinischen Geburtshilfe e.V.* publishes an annual quality report in which a comprehensive statistical analysis of the results of out-of-hospital births is presented.In 2023, 16,183 women started an out-of-hospital birth. Only 931 of them had to give birth by caesarean section after being transferred to hospital. This corresponds to a caesarean section rate of just 5.7 %.

In our opinion, this low caesarean section rate is not solely due to the fact that only healthy women with an unremarkable course of pregnancy are accompanied. Rather, the type of care also plays a decisive role in the course of labour.

As soon as labour begins, we are available for the pregnant woman and accompany the early phase of the birth with telephone calls and, if necessary, home visits. The transfer to the birthing centre usually only takes place when the cervix begins to open well. Studies show that the lack of support in the early labour phase and the associated early admission to hospital - when the cervix is still barely open - can increase the caesarean section rate by a factor of 2.4.

It is also known that continuous care by a midwife can reduce the need for strong painkillers. The administration of a peridural anaesthetic (epidural) in particular can have an effect on the frequency of contractions and result in further interventions.

An undisturbed, familiar environment and unrestricted freedom of movement also promote a natural birth process.

The consistently positive, statistically proven results of births in a birthing centre or at home reinforce our conviction that a birth in a birthing centre is a very good option for healthy pregnant women with an unremarkable course of pregnancy.

More important than any recommendation, however, is that every pregnant woman and her family should be free to choose the place of birth - based on sound and relevant information. Birth should take place where the woman feels safe and well cared for - whether as naturally as possible or through a planned caesarean section. This decision is individual and is in no way predetermined by us.