Dusseldorf Witnesses Celebration for Birth House and Midwifery Centre Anniversary
Addressing Midwifery Shortage in Düsseldorf
The city of Düsseldorf is currently grappling with a high demand for midwife care that outstrips the available supply, creating challenges for expectant mothers seeking support during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care. This situation is part of a larger context in Germany marked by increasing awareness of the importance of midwife-led care for maternal and newborn health and a tightening supply caused by workforce shortages and demographic changes.
The Düsseldorf Birth House, a pioneer in family-friendly cities, has been a beacon of support for mothers for 30 years, delivering over 4600 babies since its founding in 1995. In addition to its primary function, the birth house offers numerous courses such as yoga, acupuncture, and postpartum support. The midwife center, located within the birth house for the past ten years, has been instrumental in mediating midwives for 20,665 cases, despite receiving 47,666 inquiries over the past decade.
The shortage of midwives in Düsseldorf is particularly acute, reflecting the national trend with a significant gap between demand and supply. However, several expected changes are on the horizon.
Policy efforts and reforms are being implemented to address the shortage, focusing on improving training, working conditions, and remuneration to attract and retain more midwives. Potential expansion of midwifery education programs and increased integration of midwife care with medical and public health systems are also being considered to balance supply and demand.
Digital and technological innovations are also being explored to support midwives' work efficiency and outreach. While specific local Düsseldorf-based reforms and projected statistics are not yet available, the overarching challenges and policy responses affecting midwifery in Germany apply to Düsseldorf given its population size and healthcare infrastructure.
Mayor Klaudia Zepuntke, a fan of the birth house and the midwife center, recently thanked the team for their work, particularly in supporting women during a formative phase. Many guests from the city administration and politics attended the birthday celebration of the Düsseldorf Birth House and the midwife center, acknowledging their crucial role in the city's healthcare system.
Despite these efforts, the economic situation of midwives, particularly freelance ones, continues to deteriorate. Around 44 percent of women cannot be cared for at the midwife center and have to look for care elsewhere. This underscores the need for continued policy support and investment in midwifery to ensure quality care for all mothers in Düsseldorf.
Science and health-and-wellness initiatives, such as courses in yoga and acupuncture, are offered at the Düsseldorf Birth House to support expectant mothers. To address the shortage of midwives and improve healthcare for mothers in Düsseldorf, policy efforts are being implemented, including improvements in training, working conditions, and remuneration.
