Prenatal Care

(including prenatal checkups)

Midwives provide counseling by phone, at their own practice, or during a home visit on all questions related to pregnancy, childbirth, the postpartum period, and breastfeeding—such as nutrition and lifestyle during pregnancy, relationships and sexuality, options for childbirth preparation, and preparing for the baby.

If you experience pregnancy-related symptoms such as nausea, pain, anxiety, or suspected preterm labor, your midwife is available to assist you.

Many midwives offer prenatal checkups. These checkups—with the exception of ultrasounds—can be performed by midwives and recorded in the prenatal care record.

Childbirth Preparation Course

Childbirth and parenting preparation is offered as a weekly ongoing course or as an intensive course, both of which require advance registration. The cost of the courses is covered by health insurance providers upon participation. Please register early, during the first half of your pregnancy.

You will learn breathing, relaxation, and physical exercises and can try out different birthing positions. You will receive information about physical and psychological changes related to pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period and can exchange experiences with other expectant mothers.

You are responsible for paying for any missed class sessions and the costs for your partner.

Childbirth Preparation Course

Home Birth

(Birth in a home setting)

Every birth is attended by a midwife, whether in a hospital, a birthing center, or at home. If you give birth at the district hospital, you will receive individualized care from the midwife on duty.

Birth care at a birthing center is not offered in this district.

Postpartum Home Visits

(Postpartum Care)

The midwife can provide care for you at home up to 10 days after birth. If necessary, this can be extended until the 12th week.

The midwife will support you and your child according to your individual needs.

Postpartum Exercise

Postpartum exercise classes support the uterus’s return to its pre-pregnancy state and strengthen the pelvic floor. Please register right after giving birth. There are postpartum exercise classes with and without your baby. You can participate in the course starting in the 6th week after giving birth—later if you had a C-section.

Health insurance companies cover the costs for 10 class hours if the course is completed by the 9th month at the latest. You will learn exercises to relieve back pain and neck tension, and to strengthen the pelvic floor as well as the abdominal and back muscles. Breathing, relaxation, and stretching exercises help you regain your physical and emotional balance.

You must pay for any missed class sessions yourself.

Breastfeeding Counseling

No formula can replace breast milk in the first few days.

Midwives therefore support breastfeeding and provide assistance with any difficulties that may arise. Even after 12 weeks have passed since the birth, you are entitled to up to 8 midwife services (counseling or, if necessary, home visits) while you are breastfeeding.

Support for Termination of Pregnancy/Miscarriage

At any stage of your pregnancy, you can contact the midwife of your choice and ask for advice. Perhaps you are facing a crisis before or after the birth. Don’t hesitate to talk to your midwife. If a child is born sick or stillborn, or dies after birth, parents need special counseling and support. You are also entitled to midwifery care in the event of a termination of pregnancy. In this case, it may be helpful to get to know a midwife before the procedure to discuss what you might experience.

Alternative Practices in Childbirth Preparation

Water Birth:

The delivery takes place in a special birthing tub. The warm water helps relieve pain, relaxes the muscles, and can make the tissue more elastic, which reduces perineal tears.

Vertical Birthing Positions:

Instead of lying flat on their backs (supine position), women use a birthing stool, get on all fours, stand, or squat. Advantage: Gravity helps the pelvis open wider, and the duration of labor may be shortened