Giving Birth in a Czech Hospital

With one of the lowest maternal mortality rates in the world, the Czech Republic ranks among the top EU countries for prenatal care. However, those committed to a patient-directed childbirth—in a less clinical setting—may need to venture outside of Prague (hospitals Vrchlabí and Neratovice offer alternative birthing options) or stay home: In 2012, the EU ruled that women have the right to choose where they deliver and that the state is obligated to help them carry out home births.  

The following breakdown of maternity wards was compiled using as its primary source information from Prague-based healthy parenting association Aperio. Though in Czech, the group’s website can easily be read via Google translate for further information on rates of induction, episiotomy, C-section, and other childbirth-related statistics and services. Aperio also offers prenatal classes in English.  

Note that to achieve the “Baby-Friendly” title, hospitals must adhere to the 10 specific steps to support breastfeeding. Despite the fact that only two Prague hospitals listed have been assigned this title, it should not be implied that the remaining hospitals do not provide lactation support or encourage breastfeeding.

Hospital Na Bulovce Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Budínova 2, Prague 8
266 081 111
www.bulovka.cz
REGISTRY: Register in person from Tuesday until Thursday from 13:00–14:30 or on-line at week 14.   

• Births per year 2,171 (2011)
• Pre-natal classes Yes
• Cost of upgraded room 400–1,200 CZK/day
• Family rooming-in Yes (3 rooms)
• Rooming-in Yes (and partial rooming-in)
• No. of beds in maternity ward 9 single premium, 2 double, 6 triple
• Family members allowed in delivery Max. 2 people plus doula

• Alternative pain management Massage, birthing ball, showers
• Separate birthing room Yes 
• Selection of maternal position No
• Water birth No
• Mother has active control over process No
• Constant contact with baby after birth Yes
• At-home visit from midwife Yes
• Collection of cord blood Yes
• Perinatal center No 

• Baby-friendly hospital No
• Possibility of VBAC Yes
• Possibility of spontaneous breech Yes
• Services for disabled patients No
• Outpatient childbirth No
• Psychological services Yes
• Avg. length of  stay following normal birth 3–4 days

U Apolinář Obstetrics & Gynecology Clinic
Apolinářská 18, Prague 2
224 967 407
www.apolinar.cz
REGISTRY: Register in person or on-line at week 14.

• Births per year 4,986 (2008)
• Pre-natal classes  Yes
• Cost of upgraded room 500–1,000 CZK/day
• Family rooming-in Yes (1 room)
• Rooming-in Yes (and partial rooming-in)
• No. of beds in maternity ward 4 single, 9 double, 13 triple
• No. of family allowed in delivery room Max. 1 person plus doula
• Alternative pain management Aromatherapy, ball, showers, hammock
• Separate birthing room Yes
• Selection of maternal position Yes
• Water birth No
• Mother has active control over birthing process No
• Constant contact with baby after birth Yes
• At-home visit from midwife Yes
• Collection of cord blood Yes
• Perinatal center Yes
• Baby-friendly hospital No
• Possibility of VBAC No
• Possibility of spontaneous breech No
• Services for disabled patients Yes
• Outpatient childbirth No
• Psychological services No
• Avg. length of stay following normal birth 3–4 days

Thomayerova “Krč” University Hospital
Vídeňská 800, Prague 4
261 082 258
www.ftn.cz
REGISTRY: Register in person or via telephone at week 32.

One of two hospitals in Prague to have earned the WHO/UNICEF “Baby-Friendly” hospital designation and therefore no surprise that it is also home to the Czech Lactation League (Laktační Liga). Visiting hours are restricted and no one besides family may enter the shared rooms during the designated afternoon time.

• Births per year 1,822 (2008)
• Pre-natal classes Yes
• Cost of upgraded room 700 CZK/day
• Family rooming-in Yes (8 rooms)
• Rooming-in Yes 
• No. of beds in maternity ward 9 double, 4 triple
• No. of family members allowed in delivery room 1–2 people max. including doula
• Alternative pain management Showers, music
• Separate birthing room Yes
• Selection of maternal position Yes
• Water birth No
• Mother has active control over birthing process No
• Continuous contact with baby after birth No
• At-home visit from midwife No
• Collection of cord blood Yes
• Perinatal center Yes
• Baby-friendly hospital Yes
• Possibility of VBACNo
• Possibility of spontaneous breech No
• Services for disabled patients No
• Outpatient childbirth No
• Psychological services No
• Avg. length of stay following normal birth 3–4 days

Podolí Institute for the Care of Mother and Child
Podolské nábřeží, Prague 10
296 511 111
www.upmd.cz
REGISTRY: Register electronically at week 14.

• Births per year 1,313 (2013)
• Pre-natal classes Yes
• Cost of upgraded room 500–1,700 CZK/day
• Family rooming-in Yes (12 rooms)
• Rooming-in Yes (in all rooms and partial rooming-in)
• No. of beds on maternity ward 13 single, 10 double, 7 triple
• No. of family members allowed in deliveryroom 2 people max.
• Alternative pain management Showers, music, massage
• Separate birthing room Yes
• Selection of maternal position Yes
• Water birth No
• Mother has active control over birthing process No
• Constant contact with babies after birth Yes
• At-home visit from midwife No
• Collection of cord blood Yes
• Perinatal center Yes
• Baby-friendly Hospital No
• Possibility of VBAC No
• Possibility of spontaneous breech No
• Services for disabled No
• Outpatient childbirth No
• Psychological services No
• Avg. length of stay following normal birth 4 days

Faculty Hospital Motol
V Úvalu 84, Prague 5
224 431 111
www.fnmotol.cz
Registry: Register in person only at week 14.

• Births per year 3,427 (2009)
• Pre-natal classes No
• Cost of upgraded room 1,000 CZK/day
• Family rooming-in Yes (12 rooms)
• Rooming-in Yes (in all rooms and partial rooming-in)
• No. of beds on maternity ward 2 single, 15 double, and 3 triple
• No. of family members allowed in delivery room 1 person plus doula
• Alternative pain management Ball, shower, bath, aromatherapy
• Separate birthing room Yes
• Selection of maternal position Yes
• Water birth No
• Mother has active control over birthing process No
• Constant contact with baby after birth No
• At-home visit from midwife Yes
• Collection of cord blood Yes
• Perinatal center Yes
• Baby-friendly hospital Yes
• Possibility of VBAC No
• Possibility of spontaneous breech No
• Services for disabled Yes
• Outpatient childbirth No
• Psychological services Yes
• Avg. length of stay following normal birth 3 days

Faculty Hospital Královské Vinohrady
Šrobárova 50, 100 34 Praha 10
267 161 111
www.fnkv.cz
REGISTRY: In person or via e-mail after week 14.

• Births per year 1,368 (2008)
• Pre-natal classes Yes
• Cost of upgraded room 300–500 CZK/day
• Family rooming-in Yes (2 singles, 1 double)
• Rooming-in Yes (and partial rooming-in)
• No. of beds on maternity ward 2 singles, 1 double, 2 triples, 1 shared room 
• No. of family members in delivery room Max. 2 people
• Alternative pain management Showers and massage
• Separately birthing room No
• Selection of maternal position Yes
• Water birth No
• Mother has active control over birthing process No
• Continuous contact with baby after birth Yes
• At-home visit from midwife No
• Collection of cord blood Yes
• Perinatal center No
• Baby-friendly hospital No
• Possibility of VBAC No
• Possibility of spontaneous breech No
• Services for disabled Yes
• Outpatient childbirth No
• Psychological services No
• Avg. length of stay following normal birth 4–5 days

To discuss your experience giving birth in Prague hospitals or read about the experiences of other expat women, visit www.bumpsbabiesandtots.cz or www.kidsinprague.com and join each site’s Facebook group.

The Centre for Integration of Foreigners also provides free individual counseling and pamphlets for foreign moms-to-be in the Czech Republic. See also our article 10 Tips for Being Pregnant in Prague.

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