How to choose delivery beds for your facility?

Delivery beds and their prices

Naturally, one of the first criteria we will look at will be the price. It is logical that delivery beds whose functionality definitely goes beyond what we may call standard will carry a higher price tag. Therefore, when choosing this type of equipment, we must consider not the price itself, but what influences it. If our budget is limited, we need to look for solutions that optimally meet our requirements while remaining affordable.

Price/functionality ratio

If, on the other hand, we know that we can pay a little more for the equipment, it is also worth considering whether we will make adequate use of everything that is included in the price offered by the manufacturer or intermediary. Every delivery unit wants to provide the best possible conditions for its patients, but remember that not all that glitters is gold. When choosing patient comfort, let’s pay attention to the functionality of the bed, where it is manufactured, what materials it is made of, is service easily accessible, rather than how much it costs – because a high price does not always go hand in hand with comfort and safety. Let’s take more time, analyse the market, read the specifications, compare and choose quality and functionality rather than a logo on the product. That is unless all these criteria translate into what is most important – the satisfaction of the mother and her baby.

Are electrically controlled delivery beds the best choice?

The answer to this question is not clear-cut. The best choice will be whatever best fits your requirements and the conditions in your facility. If the birthing beds will operate where there is continuity of power supply, an electric bed will make the work of the medical staff much easier. However, if you are dealing with an emergency situation, such as the war in Ukraine, or your delivery beds will operate in regions of the world where electricity is not standard, it is then worth considering the purchase of a manually controlled bed. The most important thing is to ensure that the position can be changed smoothly, to make the work of the staff easier and to help the patient choose the labour position. Of course, electrical control supported by actuators will make our work much easier.

Famed FREYA delivery beds with electrical control.

Wide range of labour positions

The ability to adjust the back rest and thigh segment, the height adjustment and the possibility to mount additional equipment will improve the process of choosing the right labour position. The delivery procedures, which sometimes last many hours, are a huge challenge for the patient and the medical staff. Each case requires the right choice of methods to allow a safe delivery, in which the positioning of the patient plays a significant role. A modern hospital bed should have features that allow for a squatting position with a hand grip, a semi-sitting position, different variants of the sitting position, a back position, a horizontal position, a side-lying position or a standing position. Attention should also be paid to the range of adjustment of individual bed segments and the method of mounting additional equipment – knee rests, hand grips or footrests.

The Famed FREYA delivery bed allows the patient to assume many positions that make delivery easier.

High quality is essential

A delivery bed is a piece of hospital equipment that is heavily exploited due to the environment in which it operates. The force that the mother-to-be puts into pushing during childbirth often translates into the stresses imposed on certain parts of the bed. The most vulnerable to damage will be the hand grips, side rails, knee rests, footrests and other elements that the patient uses to brace herself during delivery. Mattresses will also be heavily tested, as they are exposed to friction and the ingress of physiological fluids during delivery. The design of this type of equipment should offer a maximum load of at least 150 kg and be stable and durable. The materials used in production and the electronics should be adequately protected against the effects of working in a humid environment. This is something you should pay attention to when choosing delivery beds for your facility. Accessibility of service is another important aspect. It will be better to go with a manufacturer that carries out its production in the country where you purchase the equipment.

Delivery beds – comprehensive solutions before, during and after childbirth

Are delivery beds that combine the features of delivery chairs and hospital beds a good choice? The answer is simple. Of course they are. Such a solution will not only generate savings for the hospital, but it will also reduce the amount of equipment in the facility. Medical equipment manufacturers offer equipment that can transform from a hospital bed to a delivery chair and vice versa in seconds. This optimal solution will make it possible to use a single piece of equipment both during the waiting period for the delivery, the delivery itself and during the postpartum period.

Famed FREYA delivery bed transforms into a delivery chair in seconds.

Delivery beds ensuring proximity between mother and baby

Carrying your baby for the first time is probably the moment every mother looks forward to. This is why, when choosing a delivery bed, it is important to consider its compatibility with other equipment that will enable the mother to safely interact with her newborn baby. The infant bed should be fully compatible with the delivery bed. After delivery, the mother should be able to access the baby (if the condition of the two of them permits) without getting out of bed. Therefore, the delivery bed should be designed to allow the infant bed to pull up as close to the mother as possible. This is best illustrated by the photo below. Polish medical equipment manufacturer Famed Żywiec has ensured that the mother can enjoy contact with her newborn from the first moments in the safest way.

Delivery beds should ensure proximity between mother and baby from the first moments.

Summary

Delivery beds are an essential part of any maternity ward, so their choice should be based on a number of factors. An analysis of the products will allow you to select the right solution for your needs and capabilities. There are many models on the market that meet the characteristics of a modern delivery bed to a greater or lesser extent. And a modern delivery bed is one that provides comfort and safety for the medical staff, mother, and baby.