"Vienna is growing! More than half of the newborns in Vienna are born in our clinics. In 2024, we had an increase of 8.1% births compared to the previous year," says Evelyn Kölldorfer-Leitgeb, Director General of the Vienna Health Network, who is delighted with the new record high in births.

13,116 Babies Born in Vienna Health Network Clinics

"Expectant parents can view our facilities before the birth, ask questions and get to know our team.", says Julia Fellner, Head Midwife at the Landstraße Clinic. "Natural birth is our top priority in our clinics. If a caesarean section is necessary, an operating room is always available. In addition, specialised doctors are ready to act quickly and competently if needed." In 2024, 13,116 babies were born in the facilities of the Vienna Health Network. Of these, 292 were twin or multiple births. August was the month with the highest number of births, with 117. In the Landstraße, Favoriten, Hietzing, Ottakring, Floridsdorf and Donaustadt hospitals, the proportion of caesarean births was 28.7%. This percentage is well below the nationwide caesarean rate of 32.4% in 2023. The AKH Vienna, which focuses on the treatment of high-risk pregnancies, had a caesarean rate of 45.2% in 2024.

Anonymous Birth Possible in Vienna Health Network Clinics

Pregnancy is not always a joy: In every clinic of the Vienna Health Network, pregnant women in difficult life circumstances can give birth to their babies anonymously. "They do not have to provide personal data and can take all necessary examinations in our clinics", emphasizes the head midwife Julia Fellner. "Our goal is to prevent unattended births and child abandonment. With their decision for an anonymous birth, the women take responsibility for their child and can be sure that it will be well cared for." If a woman decides for anonymity, the baby is given up for adoption by the child and youth welfare service. There is also the possibility of an open adoption, where contact between the biological mother and the adoptive parents is facilitated. Clinical psychologists are available in the clinics of the Vienna Health Network to support the affected women in this challenging phase. There are about 10 to 12 anonymous births in the clinics of the Vienna Health Network each year.

Vienna Health Network Clinics: Baby Hatch Open Around the Clock

In particularly hard times, women can leave their child anonymously and without criminal consequences in a baby hatch around the clock. The mother can reverse this decision within a legal period and retrieve her child. Sensors in the baby hatches send a signal to the staff as soon as a baby is placed inside. Immediately afterwards, caregivers take over the child. In the Vienna Health Network, there are baby hatches at the Floridsdorf Clinic and the Ottakring Clinic. On average, 1 to 2 babies are left there each year.

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