A Quiet Revolution in French Childbirth: The Rise of ‘Maisons de Naissance’
Table of Contents
A growing number of expectant parents in France are seeking a gentler, more personalized approach to childbirth, turning to dedicated birth houses – or maisons de naissance – that prioritize natural processes and emotional well-being. These facilities offer a stark contrast to the often-clinical environment of traditional hospitals, and represent a burgeoning movement toward a more holistic model of maternity care.
Stepping into a Different World
The CALM, a maison de naissance attached to the Bluets maternity hospital in Paris, immediately signals a departure from conventional expectations. “Here is a birthing room,” explains Pauline Burosse, a midwife with three years of experience at the facility. The space is bathed in light, with large black-and-white photographs of pregnant women adorning the walls and a mobile displaying dozens of birth announcements suspended from the ceiling. A large double bed is present, though Burosse notes it’s primarily for post-partum recovery and bonding. “There aren’t many women who give birth in the bed,” she says. “It’s more for afterwards, to be together with the baby and partner.”
The room also features a spacious birthing pool for water births, and ample space for alternative positions, including mats, balls, and floor space. “Everything is designed to encourage women to secrete their natural oxytocin, without stress,” Burosse elaborates. The philosophy centers around viewing childbirth “more as a journey, a passage, than a painful moment.”
A Focus on Physiological Birth and Minimal Intervention
The maisons de naissance accept only low-risk pregnancies, but offer a crucial safety net: immediate access to the adjacent hospital. “In less than 30 seconds, in case of emergency, we take the elevator and are in a delivery room at Bluets,” Burosse assures. This proximity provides peace of mind while allowing women to pursue a more natural birthing experience.
Alice, a 32-year-old expecting mother, was recently at the CALM for her final pre-labor consultation. “I’m having quite a few contractions, but it’s not stressful at all, we’re very close to term,” she shared. Having previously delivered her son, Marcel, at the CALM, she actively sought to avoid a conventional hospital birth with epidural and what she termed “over-medicalization.”
“In France, there’s a lot of pressure to view pain as inherent to childbirth and to dismiss the possibility of a physiological birth,” Alice explained. “The context of the birth house allows you not to experience childbirth as painful. For me, it was more of a journey, a passage, but not at all like a painful birth in the traditional sense.” She plans to recreate the atmosphere she found most empowering: a darkened room, complete nudity, and an upright, squatting position. Her partner, Alexis, fully supports her choices, having found his own role more fulfilling in the supportive environment. “We’ve seen several cases around us of over-medicalized births that didn’t go very well,” Alexis noted. “I’ve become convinced of this approach and feel much more involved as a result.”
A Growing, Yet Limited, Alternative
Currently, there are only nine maisons de naissance operating in France, accommodating less than 1% of all births. This is a significant contrast to England, which boasts 170 such facilities. An initial experimental phase ran from 2015 to 2020, and while that period has concluded, prospective birth houses can now submit projects for approval – the major hurdle remains securing adequate funding.
“That’s where the problem lies,” says Marjolaine Cordier, a midwife at CALM. “Without sufficient financing, these birth houses aren’t widespread in France.” Three additional facilities are expected to open in the coming months, but the disparity with countries like England remains stark.
One key difference between maisons de naissance and traditional hospitals is continuity of care. At CALM, the same midwife follows a woman throughout her entire pregnancy, with monthly appointments dedicated to preparation. On the day of labor, the midwife’s role shifts to observation and support. “We’re more in an observational role that day,” Burosse explains. “If help is needed, we’re there, of course. But our role is more to support women and co-parents beforehand, to prepare them as best as possible for the big day.”
The rise of maisons de naissance in France represents a quiet revolution in maternity care, offering a compelling alternative for those seeking a more natural, empowering, and personalized birthing experience. However, continued growth hinges on addressing the critical issue of funding and expanding access to this increasingly sought-after model of care.
