Providing a consistent framework for improving maternal health and promoting quality care.
FREMONT, CA: Maternal care refers to all facets of the expectant mother's antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum care. A classification system for levels of maternal care should be established for birth centers, basic care, specialty care, subspecialty care, and regional perinatal health care centers to standardize a comprehensive and integrated system of perinatal regionalization and risk-appropriate mother care (level IV).
Physically present all the time: The designated individual must be physically present in the facility where perinatal care is offered, 24 hours per day, seven days per week.
Easily accessible at all times: It is essential that the designated individual is physically present on-site within a timeframe that considers both maternal and fetal risks and benefits. They must also be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for consultation and assistance. With advice from local obstetric care professionals, facilities and regions should tailor this time frame individually. Unless otherwise stated, a service's availability should be stated as being available every day of the week, around-the-clock.
Level I: Prenatal care for low- to moderate-risk pregnancies with the capacity to identify, contain, and begin management of unexpected maternal-fetal or neonatal issues that arise during the antepartum, intrapartum, or postpartum period until the patient can be shifted to a facility with specialty maternal care available
