5 Things To Do When Pregnant in Germany

Welcome and congratulations on your pregnancy! Whether you just found out you’re pregnant or you’re already a few months in, at some point you may realize there are things about giving birth in Germany you didn’t know. I’m going to break down the basics for you – what you want to consider and prepare. Regardless of where you are on your path to having a baby, you are a great parent for looking into the support resources available to you!

Here’s how I would suggest you get started:
1. Start looking for a Hebamme (midwife) as soon as possible!
2. Find the right birth location for you
3. Make sure your Frauenarzt (OBGYN) is a good fit
4. Educate yourself about birth and postpartum with a childbirth preparation class
5. Consider hiring a doula

Let’s look at each of these things in more detail:

Start looking for a Hebamme 

Hebamme is the German word for midwife, and although many people choose to see a doctor during pregnancy, midwives are actually the experts for healthy pregnancy, birth, and postpartum here in Germany. They can visit you in your home and will be your primary care provider during birth as well, even in the hospital. However, Germany is currently experiencing a Hebammenkrise – a crisis in the midwifery profession. Elterngeld, the attractive, paid parental leave, has created a baby boom in Germany. At the same time, working conditions for midwives have changed drastically, including strict regulations and high costs for liability insurance. This has made many midwives leave the profession, reduce the amount they work, or even overwork themselves to burn out. And fewer people are choosing to become midwives. Because of the midwife crisis, there is currently a big gap: more people are having babies and there aren’t enough midwives to support them.  

For birth in a clinic or hospital, the midwife who will support you will be whoever is currently on shift. At a birth house, you get to know a team of midwives and one of them will support you for birth. Only in a homebirth setting will you get to build a relationship with your midwife beforehand, and in rare circumstances, even they sometimes need to call on the support of their back-up. 

The type of midwife you need to find yourself is called the Vor- und Nachsorgehebamme, who comes to see you in your home during pregnancy and postpartum. To ensure you have the support you need during this time, start your search for a midwife early. My tip: call them on the phone instead of writing an email. Most midwives get so many emails per day that they can’t reply to them all. If you have managed to reach a midwife by phone, but she says she is busy, ask her for the contact details of her colleagues who may still be available. Midwives work based on their geographic location so they have less travel time and can support more families. But this means you will only find an English-speaking midwife if there is one working in your area. Still, you might be more comfortable with a German-speaking midwife. You can use online translators to communicate with them. This is better than having no midwife at all. 

You can start with contacting the midwives you find on these websites:
www.hebammensuche.bayern 
www.hebavaria.de 
www.ammely.de

Don’t worry if you can’t find a midwife. If you reach week 34 of your pregnancy without finding one, you can contact the Hebammenhotline at (089) 12 19 12 04 or hebammenhotline@hebavaria.de. Please note that this service is only available if you live within the city limits of Munich. If you live in a suburb or elsewhere in Germany, you will need to get in touch with local midwifery resources. You can also contact your health insurance company and they can provide you with contact details of midwives near you. 

Find the right birth location for you

Munich offers various options for giving birth. There are ten clinics and hospitals, two midwife-led birth centers, and many homebirth midwives. Birth usually doesn’t happen as fast as it seems to in movies and on TV, so you really don’t have to choose the location closest to you. Instead, take the time to research and choose a location that aligns with how you want to be supported during birth. Consider factors like atmosphere, infrastructure, and birthing philosophy. 

Finding the right birth location can be tricky. That’s why I’ve written a whole blog post on this topic. It has tips on choosing where to give birth in Munich and finding the right place for you. You can read that here. 

Make sure your Frauenarzt (OBGYN) is a good fit

You should feel comfortable, safe, and understood not just during birth, but throughout your pregnancy. So it’s a good idea to consider your relationship with your obstetrician-gynecologist (OBGYN). Look for green flags indicating positive and supportive care. Here are a few examples:
– They are active listeners
– They take time to address your concerns and answer your questions as thoroughly as you need
– They explain with empathy (non-condescending, with consideration of your emotions)
– They are transparent with notes and explain what they are doing
– They seek consent for all procedures after providing thorough explanations and time for you to consider and ask questions
– They may not know how to say everything in English, but they try (this is better than a dismissive know-it-all who is fluent!)
– They are sensitive to your feelings and humble (if they made you feel bad, and you tell them, they apologize)
– They present options and are supportive of different kinds of births
– They inform you of the standards of care but do not get pushy if you choose otherwise

If you are not happy with your doctor, invest the time and energy to find one who is a better fit. I am confident you will not regret it. 

Some Frauenärzte in the Munich area are spreading false information. They claim you can’t switch providers during pregnancy. This is not true and definitely a red flag, because it is your right as a patient in Germany to have a second opinion, and you should not be denied that right. And don’t worry, your insurance will need to pay for the second opinion as well.  

Educate yourself about birth and postpartum with a childbirth preparation class

They say that knowledge is power, and indeed, for many expectant parents, gaining a deeper understanding of the birthing process can be incredibly empowering. Whether through books, blogs, podcasts, or classes, immersing yourself in various forms of education not only helps you build confidence in your innate birthing abilities but also sheds light on the intricacies of the medicalized birthing culture that many chose to birth in. 

However, preparing for birth extends beyond acquiring information. Engaging in a comprehensive birth preparation class can be transformative and nurturing for your body, mind, and spirit.

– In nurturing the mind, it’s essential to grasp the physiology of birth and to familiarize yourself with the unique aspects of the medicalized birthing culture, especially in Germany.
– For the body, practices such as breathing exercises, movement, massage, and yoga or belly dancing can heighten bodily awareness, giving you more skill for birth.
– And for the soul, emotional readiness is key. A good birth class will help you build resilience, develop self-awareness and reflection, get on the same page with your partner, and connect with other soon-to-be parents to form a supportive community

In today’s post-pandemic landscape, the options for birthing classes are plentiful. Opting for an online course in your native language can make learning and reflecting easier for you. There are also varied approaches to childbirth education – Hypnobirthing, Lamaze, Birthing from Within, and Spinning Babies, to name a few – and you can find the approach that works best for you.

Local classes led by German midwives offer a unique opportunity to see birth through their eyes. These classes, often covered by insurance, provide invaluable insights to the German birth culture. However, these classes are often short, focus on information with minimal skill building, and due to the high demand for them in English, are often booked out. 

As a doula, I offer holistic birthing classes, working with multiple techniques to reach the body, mind, and soul, all presented in the context of giving birth in Germany. My class content covers traditional childbirth education and compliments it with insights into the local birthing culture, so you feel more confident in navigating, communicating, and advocating for your birthing preferences. Additionally, I equip you with tools to keep you informed about patient rights and evidence-based practices here in Germany.

Consider Hiring a Doula

A doula can truly enhance your birthing experience, offering invaluable emotional and physical assistance throughout labor. And don’t worry if you’re already well into your pregnancy – it’s never too late to benefit from the guidance of a doula, both during childbirth and in the postpartum period.

Curious to learn more about how I work as a doula? Explore the rest of my website for additional insights into my approach, philosophy, and the holistic support I offer to expectant parents like yourself. As you navigate this transformative journey, know that you’re not alone – I’m here to provide compassionate care every step of the way.