homebirth in germany

[mntnmom]

Does anyone have any specific experience? My impression is that it's rare, but considered a valid choice, and accessable through German hospitals/OB's. BUt what about German midwives? How much autonomy do they have. Will there also be a Nurse-midwife? How "involved" are they with the birth?
I had a lovely homebirth in Az. with DS2, and hope to have another one before we leave Germany. I would love to get Tricare to pay for it, but that's another conversation!!

[badgerbaby]

Sorry, I don't have any advice.
But I am shocked now to know that Germany allows homebirth and not homeschooling...

[ithappened]

I am planning a homebirth in Austria.

In our specific region it is something like 3% of women have homebirths so its really rare. I found two midwifes (they don't have nurse midwifes here) who do home births in this area and am planning on meeting them in the coming weeks (I'm 15-16w at the moment).

I would be happy to give your more information or my impression on them once we've meet. (likewise, I'm curious what you find out about Germany as well).

[DariusMom]

You might want to post this on "Germany" Tribal area (under "Finding your tribe", "Europe" then "Germany") I think you'd get some good information over there.

I live in nearby Holland, and about 1/3rd-1/2 of births are at home, but that's not the norm for the rest of Europe.

[lalaland42]

: I am planning a hb in Switzerland this winter.

[ithappened]

I had assumed homebirths in Austria were very common, but at least in this region everyone thinks I am sort of crazy for having one

[MOMYS]

I know this doesn't really help you, but there is a German homebirth video on youtube!

[EmmaJean]

my friend just had a hb last year near ramstein. I don't know specifics at all, but you can find info online. I did some searching for her. and you can use google translator to help you out w/ understanding what you're finding. If you're near ramstein, PM me and I can get you her info. I think she did it totally out w/o tricare's involvement, and pretty sure she went on standard. But not 100%. Definitely ask in the Germany section of FYT or search there. Good luck!

[Xx5Xy0]

I'm in Germany and Tricare is paying for my homebirth midwife!!! It really depends on whether or not there is a midwife near where you are stationed that works with Tricare. If you're near Wiesbaden, let me know and I can give you my midwifes info.

[summermay]

You can have a homebirth with a private, licenced, independent midwife, normally private or even public European health insurances will cover her pay (not sure about your insurance though).

You need to search or ask for "Freie Hebammen", they are fully insured and can work on their own.
http://www.bfhd.de/index.htm

More common, midwives can book a hospital bed, and are solely responsible for your birth, just "transfer" the care or assist a doctor if interventions are needed.

Do you live close to the Dutch border? Then it would be easier to get a wonderful homebirth experience, the Netherlands seem to be the leading nation on homebirthing and of course mother's health.