Progress and challenges in modernizing delivery rooms

OBJECTIVE: Childbirth is a profound life event that can be both challenging and empowering. The delivery room environment significantly influences a woman's experience, affecting physiological processes, emotional well-being, and clinical outcomes. This review synthesizes evidence on how modernized delivery rooms can mitigate stress and actively promote a positive, safe, and empowering birth experience. METHODS: Despite the known importance of the physical setting, many delivery rooms remain highly clinical, and research on optimizing their design is evolving. We discuss the transition from traditional, medically-focused spaces to modern, homelike environments that support physiological labor. Key topics include the discreet integration of advanced medical equipment, the role of family presence, and the application of emerging technologies for maternal and neonatal monitoring. The involvement of the full multidisciplinary team-including obstetricians, midwives, obstetric nurses, anesthesiologists, and neonatologists-is essential for successful modernization. RESULTS: We also identify major challenges, such as balancing safety with comfort, managing costs, and the need for more robust evidence to guide design decisions. CONCLUSION: The findings underscore that effective delivery room modernization requires a patient-centered, multidisciplinary approach, integrating evidence-based design principles to improve outcomes for mothers, infants, and healthcare providers.