“17 deliveries in 24 hours, it’s unprecedented” emphasizes Elisa Etienne, the president of the departmental council of midwives of the Drôme. This is an example of what is happening in recent days in the maternity ward of Valencia hospital. That of the Romans hospital is also experiencing an extraordinary peak of activity. In question : a rise in the birth rate observed throughout the country but also locally the closure in August of the maternity ward of the Pasteur clinic in Guilherand-Granges due to staffing issues.
About 80 women should have given birth at the Pasteur clinic this month according to estimates; as many patients as it is necessary to redirect towards the other maternities of Drôme and Ardèche (Valence, Montélimar, Aubenas, Romans and Annonay). For geographical reasons, it is mainly those of Romans and especially Valence that feel these effects the most. At the hospital in Valence, 278 deliveries are scheduled this month of August; 60 more than average.
We shift triggers, we postpone them to the evening or the next day – Elise Etienne, president of the departmental council of midwives of Drôme
The president of the council of midwives of the Drôme notes: “We don’t have the space in terms of premises and staff to receive patients in psychological and medical security. Beyond a birthing room, we need midwives to take care of them properly.” She explains that midwives must manage up to 6 patients simultaneously in the delivery room – not to mention prenatal consultations and emergency visits.
It is harmful for everyone, both for patients and midwives, but also for gynecologists, obstetricians and pediatricians in the area.
Room for manoeuvre: the cancellation of certain treatments usually offered. “We are canceling acupuncture or preparation for parenthood appointments. We are prioritizing the birth room to the detriment of other activities. We shift triggers, we postpone them to the evening or the next day because we have no place to welcome patients” deplores Elisa Etienne. And the solution cannot go through the urgent recruitment of new professionals: “we know that there is a shortage, there are no more midwives available.” She recalls that working conditions and wages do not make the job attractive, “not to mention the closure of two thirds of French maternity wards in 40 years.”
A territorial coordination unit set up
“It’s not anticipated” denounces Elisa Etienne, “the patients were not informed of this closure, it was necessary to organize in an emergency.” A territorial coordination unit has been set up by the department’s midwives, with the support of the management of the Drôme establishments. The objective is to identify available beds and D’direct patients who planned to give birth in Guilherand-Granges. “There are midwives from Romans, Valence and Montélimar in this cell. Depending on their geographical residence and the obstetric risks identified, in conjunction with a midwife from the clinic, we contacted the patients and we redirected them” develops the president of the council of midwives of the Drôme.