Soyaux Maternity Ward: Tech, Tobacco & Temperature – Student Insights
- The maternity ward in Bordeaux prioritizes gentle care for newborns, advising parents to avoid harsh products like Betadine and heavily scented perfumes, which can cause stress.
- Workshops covering topics like babywearing,breastfeeding,acupuncture,and maternity photography are offered to expectant families.
- The department, which includes an obstetrical unit, is staffed by 18 midwives and 13 childcare assistants.
Expert Guidance for New Parents at Bordeaux Maternity Ward
Table of Contents
Published December 7, 2025
Gentle Care Practices Emphasized
The maternity ward in Bordeaux prioritizes gentle care for newborns, advising parents to avoid harsh products like Betadine and heavily scented perfumes, which can cause stress. Liniment, a traditional olive oil and lime water mixture, requires careful readiness to prevent skin irritation, according to ward staff.
Supporting Both Parents
Workshops covering topics like babywearing,breastfeeding,acupuncture,and maternity photography are offered to expectant families. Caregivers, such as Christelle Lacroix, actively work to reassure fathers, encouraging their involvement in tactile contact with their babies and demonstrating their ability to provide care alongside mothers, especially when mothers are fatigued.
Birth Rates and Staffing
The department, which includes an obstetrical unit, is staffed by 18 midwives and 13 childcare assistants. In 2024, the ward recorded 874 births, but a continuing decline in the birth rate is projected to bring that number down to approximately 800 births this year, according to head of the maternity ward, Hélène Le Guillan.
inspiring Future Healthcare Professionals
The maternity ward also serves as a valuable learning environment for aspiring healthcare professionals. Mathilde, a first-year high school student in Bordeaux, returned to the ward to reinforce concepts learned during a previous internship, fueled by her ambition to become a childcare nurse.