Pregnancy in Germany
First steps
If you think you are pregnant, you can buy an at home pregnancy kit from a drug store such as dm or Rossmann, a pharmacy or most supermarket. If the test comes back positive, you should visit a gynecologist (frauenarzt). There are many gynecologists in Germany, a simple google search will give you a selection to choose from, have a look at your options and book an appointment with the gynecologist you prefer. I recommend using https://www.doctolib.de/. Here you can see the doctors in you area, when the next available appointments are and if they take only privately (privat) insured patients, or both publicly (gesetzlich) and privately insured patients.
At your first appointment it is likely that your gynecologist will take a blood and urine sample to ensure that baby is doing well. An ultrasound examination will determine the expected date of birth. You can also ask for a confirmation of pregnancy (Schwangerschaftsbestätigung) to present to your employer.
Mutterrpass
You will receive a mutterpass at your first appointment. It is a small booklet in which all the results of your check-ups during pregnancy are documented. It is important to keep this booklet safe and take it with you whenever you go to your gynaecologist, midwife or hospital. You also need to take it along to the hospital when you give birth.
Prenatal care
After this initial appointment, you will have appointments every 4 weeks until 32 weeks and every two weeks thereafter. During these appointments you will give a urine sample, have you blood pressure measured, have your weight checked and sometimes you will give a sample of blood. The baby’s heartbeat is also checked and an ultrasound is performed. In months 3, 6 and 8, a comprehensive ultrasound test is performed to check the baby’s development.
As well as the regular check-ups, there are prenatal diagnostic tests (pränataldiagnostik) that detect signs of malformations or developmental disorders in your unborn child. These tests are optional (my husband and I opted not to take them) and you will have to cover the costs on your own. Health insurance will only pay the cost if the doctor suspects there are complications with the fetus.
Finding a midwife (hebamme)
A midwife (hebamme) is a trained health care professional who cares for mothers and newborns. They will come to your home, administer check-ups and support you before, during and after the birth of your child. Your health insurance covers the costs of this care. A midwife is usually your primary carer at your child’s birth however it may not be the same midwife who administers your home visit. I highly recommend that you find a midwife as early as possible as they are in very high demand. I started searching for a midwife when I was around 6 months and I ended up having two separate midwifes (prenatal and postnatal), the search was also incredibly stressful so trust me when I say, the earlier the better! In some Germany cities, it is possible to find English-speaking midwives - I did. I recommend using Hebammensuche to search for a midwife near you.
Prenatal classes (Geburtsvorbereitung)
I recommend completing a prenatal course (Schwangerschaftsvorbereitung or Geburtsvorbereitung) to learn more about the child birth process and how you can prepare for it. The costs for mum are covered by health insurance. There are some courses that dad can join however this is not covered by insurance. In these classes, you learn all about the childbirth process, breathing exercises, relaxation techniques, labour positions and you can ask any and all questions you have. Your doctor or midwife can advise you on the local course availabilities.
Registering at the hospital
When you have decided which hospital you want to give birth in, it is highly recommended that you pre-register so all the arrangements can be made in advance. I had an appointment at my chosen hospital and they discussed the steps to take once I started labour. I took my mutterpass, passport, birth certificate and marriage certificate (if you are married) to the appointment.
Giving birth at the hospital
If you think you are in labour, call your chosen hospital to let them know. My husband called ours when I started having contractions and they said we should stay at home until my contractions were 3 - 5 minutes apart. When we reached these intervals we called them again to let them know we were on our way. Don’t forget your mutterpass when going to the hospital. At the hospital you will be examined to confirm you are actually in labour and if so, you will be checked into a birthing room (Kreißsaal).
After the birth, you will be given some time to recover before being taken to the ward with your baby. How long you stay in hospital can range between 2 and 7 days. I stayed for 2 nights. Whilst I was there I was checked on by the nurses and the midwives who also helped me with breastfeeding. Our baby also underwent various tests to make sure he was healthy.
Don’t forget to let your midwife know when you are going to the hospital and after you give birth.
Leaving the hospital
Before leaving the hospital there are 3 important documents you must collect:
Your mutterpass which will contain all the details of your delivery
A child’s examination book (Kinderuntersuchungsheft), all the babies medical information will be stored here
A record of birth (Geburtsbescheinigung) signed by the midwife or the doctor
Your midwife will come and visit you at home to check on both you and the baby.
Registering the birth
You must register your baby within one week after delivery at the Registry Office (Standesamt), or in the hospital before you leave, in the town you had your baby. This is so you can receive the birth certificate (Geburtsurkunde) and tax ID for your child. You need to take the following documents to the Registry Office:
Record of birth (Geburtsbescheinigung)
Your ID card (as the mother) and the father's ID card (if you are married or in case the father has acknowledged paternity)
Your birth certificate (as the mother) and the father's birth certificate (if you are married or in case the father has acknowledged paternity)
Your marriage certificate (if you are married to the child's father)
Confirmation of paternity recognition (if you are not married to the child's father but the father's name is recorded on the birth certificate)
You will receive multiple copies of the birth certificcate so you can organise child benefits and health insurance for your child. You will also need the birth certificate when applying for identity cards, a passport and registration at nurseries and schools.
If you want an international birth certificate, you can get this at the Registry Office (Standesamt) for the same fee in French, German, or English.
