Childbirth in Palestine: Reported Practices and Evidence-based Guidlines

Abstract

This study has identified a gap between reported practices and evidence-based care for normal childbirth in WB maternity facilities. Promoting normal birth and avoiding over-medicalization of the birth process with excessive interventions are particularly important in a situation of conflict and scarce resources. Normal births without unnecessary technical interventions are relatively inexpensive and are less likely to lead to iatrogenic complications, particularly when access to higher levels of care is limited. Using only those practices in routine childbirth care that have been shown to be beneficial and avoiding those that are harmful would improve the quality of care for normal labor and birth. In addition, there is an imbalance in the availability of skilled birth attendants in maternity facilities across the sectors. Given the importance of the governmental sector in the provision of childbirth care to the many pregnant women who cannot afford private services and the significant number of high-risk referral cases, there is an urgent need to improve the quality of care and sustainability of these services. A sufficient number of skilled birth attendants with appropriate attitudes, skills and time to support normal labor and birth are needed for safe childbirth in maternity facilities.