One of the Ten Top Tips sets out the importance of birthing environment
Build her a nest
Mammals try to find warm, secure, dark places to give birth - and human beings are no exception. But it is the feeling of security and confidence that is important to us, rather than the environment itself. And if we can find ways to help women to feel more private and confident, we will greatly improve the likelihood of them having a normal birth.
RCMs Birth Centres in England: a standards document has a standard on Environment and Facilities.
Standard Statement:
Care is provided in a comfortable, clean, safe setting that promotes the wellbeing of women, families and birth centre staff, respecting women's needs, preferences and privacy; with a physical environment that supports normal birth.
Each birth centre must have evidence of:
7.1 A physical environment designed to comply with health and safety, infection control and Hospital Building Notes (HBN 21)requirements, appropriate for the effective and safe delivery of care
7.2 User involvement in the facility planning and improvement.
7.3 Appropriate arrangements for the disposal of clinical and domestic waste, collection and washing of soiled linen, and the delivery of goods and services.
7.4 Facilities with space for furnishing and equipment commensurate with the promotion of normal birth
7.5 Equipment suitable for the emergency resuscitation of mother and baby, which is regularly maintained.
7.6 An environment that protects and promotes women's privacy and dignity, respecting their human rights and provides facilities to maintain adequate nutrition and hydration in labour.
7.7 Sufficient pools available for use in labour and .or birth(DH2008, Newburn and singh 2003)
7.8 A safe and secure environment which protects women and babies, staff, visitors and their proprety
7.9 Cleanliness in all areas, maintaining national specificication for clean NHS premises (DH 2004d)
There are other tools that you could utilise for auditing your local birth environment for eg the NCT audit template
