Health care for women during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period as well as for newborns financed from public funds

Abstract

Purpose – the aim of the article is to describe health care services for women during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period, including newborn care, provided in the period 2017–2021.Method – the analyses included data from the Council of Ministers’ reports on the implementation and effects of the application of the Act on Family Planning, Protection of the Human Foetus and Conditions for Termination of Pregnancy, as well as demographic data published by the Statistics Poland.Results – it was shown that in the period 2017– 2021, the number of women who received the service specified in the advice given during pregnancy decreased. However, the share of births registered as coordinated care for pregnant women I (KOC I) [pl. Koordynowana Opieka nad Ciężarną] in the total number of births increased, although ultimately they constituted a small percentage of the number of births in the country. Births carried out as KOC II/III had a higher and growing share in the number of births each year. The number of patients receiving coordinated children's care, perinatal palliative care services, and the number of pregnant participants in the Prenatal Testing Program also increased. At the same time, access to the above-mentioned services depended on the place of residence of the potential patient, since relevant service providers were available only in some voivodships, or, as in the Prenatal Testing Program, obtaining the service depended on meeting strict conditions.Conclusion – it is necessary to increase the availability of the analysed services by introducing service providers in voivodeships where they are lacking. It is also necessary to enable all interested pregnant women to participate in the Prenatal Testing Program without having to meet additional conditions.