Verloskunde en gynaecologie in de laatste 40 jaar

In the Netherlands the last 40 years have seen major changes in obstetrics and gynaecology:

– Progressive expansion of evidence-based medicine.

– A measurable, greatly improved quality policy during gynaecologists‘ training and the subsequent period.

– Increase of diagnostic possibilities during pregnancy (such as real-time echography, Doppler measurements, amniocentesis and umbilical-cord puncture).

– Foundation of the Landelijke Verloskunde Registratie (LVR, National Obstetrical Registry) in 1982, in which by now 90 of the specialists and 80 of the midwives are participating.

– Implementation of the ‘Dutch model’ of obstetrical care.

– Decrease of the number of home deliveries and increase of the obstetrical interventions.

– More attention for sex problems.

– Better results in the treatment of gynaecological tumours.

– Great progress in the field of reproduction endocrinology (both medicamental and surgical).