Description
The situation of obstetrics in Hungary and in Vojvodina doesn't meet the international recommendations. The project aims to raise the attention of the general public on the advantages of natural birth, and the immediate and distant risks of technicalized obstetrics practice with a walk. Those who get in contact with the Walk (directly or via the media) may consider the local obstetrical practice. Based on the information we provide people will represent and protect better their human rights, including that of the upcoming generation. Lectures, open discussions and online material will serve as a basis of re-considering existing approaches, knowledge and views regarding birth. General public, including the professionals of perinatal period (obstetricians, midwifes, pediatrics, neonatologists, nurses, psychologists, counselors, mental hygienists), as their basic trainings usually do not include the professional knowledge that we are distributing. The Expecto Mental Hygiene Foundation is the organizer of the programs in Vojvodina. Their main task is to build connections with the Serbian health care services and institutions, and civil organizations. The colleagues of the Obstetrical Ward in “Hadzsy János Health Centre” in Topolya are open to the humanistic approach. In their practice their intention is to fulfill the recommendations of WHO. Using their example as “good practice” we would like to reach the other obstetrical services.
Summary of project results
The “On the Road – Walk for the Quality of Birth” project was initiated by the teachers and trainees of the Perinatal Postgraduate Training at Eötvös Loránd University. Birth experts and interested individuals walked 20-40 km-s daily from Hódmezővásárhely to Topolya, Serbia, to exchange experience, to support the Topolya Hospital's current efforts creating a mother-friendly obstetrics department, and to inform the Hungarian public about the longlasting positive effects of the undisturbed, natural birth on the children's physical and mental health, and about the negative outcomes of many current routine interventions. The project was an excellent tool for birth experts and laymen to exchange information in an informal and interactive setting, and it strengthened the commitment of the Topolya Hospital's staff and leadership towards mother-friendliness. A short film titled “On the Road” was made during the Walk; and the
www.szulesszuletes.blogspot.com website summarises the project.
Summary of bilateral results