Pregnancy, prenatal medicine and birth

The counseling center for prenatal examinations was set up on behalf of the cantons of Basel-Stadt and Basel-Landschaft as an independent information and counseling center (in accordance with Art. 17 of the Federal Act on Human Genetic Testing) at the Women's Clinic of the University Hospital Basel. Counseling is provided by qualified physicians specially trained for this task. Counseling is free of charge, subject to confidentiality, can be anonymous if desired and is non-denominational and ideologically neutral. It is offered in German, English and French and includes

• Counseling for women and couples who are unsure whether they want to have an examination, who are looking for alternatives to prenatal diagnostics, or who have a special risk constellation.
• Assistance in the event of abnormal findings. Women and couples are supported in dealing with this information and weighing up various alternatives in dealing with the diagnosis in order to make the right decision for each individual.
• Information about support options and contacts to self-help groups.

Contact

Phone +41 61 265 9393

gyn.psychosomatik@usb.ch

Pregnancy is a moving event for every woman. It is also an exceptional situation that means a significant change for the expectant mother, her partner and family.

Midwife consultations are an additional service to the medical consultations at the Women's Polyclinic and represent an extension of the services offered by the Women's Clinic. Midwives can carry out all examinations required for a normal, healthy pregnancy.

The aim of the check-ups is to assess the health of expectant mothers, advise them and answer their questions. The regular check-ups guarantee medical protection, comprehensive advice and support during the various stages of pregnancy. Examinations such as blood pressure measurement, urine and blood tests, heart rate monitoring and child development are repeated at each check-up. The pregnant woman also receives useful information in the event of physical complaints. In addition to nutritional issues, birth preparation, choice of birthplace and breastfeeding, the consultation also includes detailed discussions on the state of health and well-being of the pregnant woman.

Procedure for preventive check-ups during midwife consultations:

• The first examination is carried out by a doctor from the women's polyclinic. Once the pregnancy has been confirmed and there are no special risks for the pregnant woman, further check-ups are arranged in the midwife's consultation.
• The midwife attaches great importance to continuity of care during the follow-up checks up to the due date.
• The midwives are in constant professional contact with the doctors at the women's clinic. In the event of irregularities or complications during pregnancy, the specialists take over further care.
• The ultrasound checks recommended during pregnancy are always carried out by a doctor and discussed with you.

You can also transfer to the midwife's consultation hours at an advanced stage of pregnancy.

Antenatal care by a midwife is reimbursed by the health insurance company.

Contact

Phone +41 61 328 63 81

Ultrasound is a diagnostic technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of the internal organs of the unborn child and the expectant mother. Screening can be carried out several times during a pregnancy and for various reasons. In Switzerland, all pregnant women are scheduled for two routine ultrasound examinations:

First trimester (10th - 14th week of pregnancy)

• Determination of the duration of pregnancy and due date
• Checking whether the embryo and placenta are in the right place
• Recognizing multiple pregnancies
• Detection of some malformations or diseases of the child
• Measurement of nuchal translucency as an indication of a possible chromosomal disorder (e.g. Down's syndrome)
• Exclusion or diagnosis of a possible ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage

Second trimester (20th - 22nd week of pregnancy)

• Testing the amount of amniotic fluid
• Determining the position of the placenta and the position of the child
• Monitoring of fetal growth and examination of the organs
• Measurement of the length of the cervix
• Possible determination of the child's gender (on request)
• Recognition of severe malformations
• Supporting measures for invasive procedures such as amniocentesis or umbilical cord puncture

In addition to routine examinations, we also look after high-risk pregnancies, for example in the case of fetal malformations or growth disorders as well as congenital diseases. We are also happy to provide a second opinion.

If necessary, especially in the case of high-risk pregnancies, a further ultrasound examination is carried out in the third trimester (30th - 32nd week of pregnancy). For patients at risk of developing fetal deficiencies, a double sonography can be used to examine the blood flow to the placenta and fetus.

If medically appropriate, 3D and 4D sonography are used to answer questions. A 3D ultrasound scan produces a three-dimensional image that allows the doctor to see the width, height and depth of the images. With 4D ultrasound technology, a three-dimensional image is continuously updated and thus offers a "live animation".

An intact environment or financial security are important factors for a positive pregnancy. Pregnancies in patients with substance abuse or a psychiatric illness, for example, or who belong to a socially vulnerable group, are at a higher risk for mother and child.

A multidisciplinary team of social workers, neonatologists, psychologists and midwives can provide competent advice to those affected and, if necessary, guarantee close support.

Contact
Phone +41 61 328 53 21

We are the official advice center for sexual and reproductive health of the Canton of Basel-Stadt.

Would you like confidential advice on sexual health, contraception, pregnancy or abortion? A specialist is available to provide free advice to anyone from the canton of Basel-Stadt.

Please get in touch with us:

Tel.: +41 61 328 53 21

Consultation hours: Monday to Friday during office hours

Our address: Spitalstrasse 21, 4031 Basel

On the first Tuesday of every month, the Department of Obstetrics and Pregnancy Medicine at the Women's Hospital of the University Hospital Basel invites expectant parents to an information evening. In addition to a presentation of the maternity and mother-child department, the neonatology, anaesthesia, nursing and midwifery teams briefly introduce themselves.

Afterwards, visitors will have the opportunity to ask questions to the specialists present.

The next dates:

• January 07, 2025
• February 04, 2025
• March 04, 2025
• April 01, 2025
• May 06, 2025
• June 03, 2025
• July 01, 2025
• August 05, 2025
• September 02, 2025
• October 07, 2025
• November 04, 2025
• December 02, 2025

The events will take place from 7 p.m. to approx. 8.30 p.m. in the large lecture hall in the Center for Teaching and Research. The venue can be reached via Spitalstrasse 21 and the route is signposted.

Note: The English information evenings in 2025 will take place in Lecture Hall 1, Spitalstrasse 21, 4031. The respective dates can be found on the EN page under information evenings or in the invitation letter below.

Midwives with additional training provide you with comprehensive information about pregnancy, birth, postpartum and the first time as parents in the antenatal classes at the Women's Clinic of the University Hospital Basel.

We recommend that you attend a course from the 28th week of pregnancy and, if possible, no later than five weeks before the expected date of delivery

For a birth in the women's clinic, it helps us if you register early. This supports the administrative process and helps to make your admission as smooth as possible.

As a rule, you will be registered for the birth by your attending doctor. If you have any questions about your registration, please contact us as follows:

University Hospital Basel, Women's Clinic
Birth Admission Office
Spitalstrasse 21
4031 Basel
Phone +41 61 265 91 91

You can also visit us for this purpose (Monday to Friday from 09.00-12.15 and 13.00-16.00).

We focus on the individual needs of our expectant mothers and their safety. Our team looks after you around the clock. A senior physician and a pediatrician are always present. An anaesthetist is on site 24 hours a day for any anaesthetic or caesarean section.

Coronavirus and COVID-19 visitor restrictions until further notice:
Further information can be found here.

Tel. +41 61 265 90 49
Phone +41 61 265 90 50

Visiting hours

For the benefit of our patients, the following visiting hours apply (from January 1, 2024) in the maternity and postnatal ward

• 1 caregiver: 10 am to 9 pm
• Siblings: 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• Lunchtime rest: 12.30 to 2 p.m.

Visits to the antenatal and postnatal ward are permitted for the partner or one caregiver and siblings.

Phone +41 61 328 70 86

Together with the "FamilyStart beider Basel" midwife network, we offer families with newborns coordinated, safe and professional follow-up care after leaving hospital. The focus is on telephone advice and arranging midwives from the region for home visits. Questions about the baby's health and care as well as the mother's well-being are answered. FamiliyStart also offers information on Spitex home help or meal services to make the time after the birth as stress-free as possible.

The FamiliyStart offer includes home care by a midwife with 10 visits within the first 56 days. For first-time mothers, multiples or a disabled child, this can be up to 16 midwife visits.

If you have not yet found a midwife for follow-up care before the birth, the FamilyStart network will organize a midwife to visit you at home for the first time the day after you leave hospital.

Support for foreign-language families

FamilyStart also supports foreign-language families and looks for a midwife with the appropriate language skills for the home visits. If this is not possible, the midwives in the FamilyStart network have the option of using a telephone interpreting service during the home visits. To this end, FamilyStart works together with the national telephone interpreting service , which provides interpreting services for over 50 languages.

These services for home visits are financed by the Gesellschaft für das Gute und Gemeinnützige (GGG).

Further information

• Parental counseling Basel-Stadt
• Counseling for mothers and fathers BL
• Counseling for mothers and fathers Aargau

A postnatal course is recommended for all women after giving birth.

During pregnancy and childbirth, your body has changed and performed at its best. Afterwards, it is important to consciously turn to your own body and well-being. Our course is aimed at women who want to activate and relax the pelvic floor and the muscles of the abdomen and back in a restorative workout. New strength and stability will give you a positive body image and help prevent persistent pelvic floor weakness.

Breastfeeding strengthens the mother-child relationship and means affection, closeness and warmth for the child. Breastfeeding promotes the growth and prosperity of the child and has a positive influence on the development of the immune system.

Breastfeeding is a joint learning process for mother and child that takes time and patience. Our breastfeeding advice team will advise and support you on request during pregnancy and birth, as well as after the birth, on all questions relating to child nutrition and breastfeeding.

Swiss Foundation for the Promotion of Breastfeeding
La Leche League

Outpatient and inpatient breastfeeding advice:

Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Outpatient appointments by appointment by telephone
Women's clinic/pregnancy and postnatal department, Spitalstr. 21, 3rd floor,
Phone +41 61 265 90 94

Outpatient and inpatient breastfeeding counseling:
Team of IBCLC lactation consultants/nursing specialists

Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Outpatient appointments by telephone appointment

Women's clinic
Pregnancy and postnatal ward
Spitalstrasse 21, 3rd floor,

Phone +41 61 265 90 94
stillberatung@usb.ch