Homebirth in Germany

[RachelD]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi all. I am new here and hoping to get some advice on the following.

I am 13 weeks pregnant with my first baby and my husband and I are considering a move to Germany in a couple months. I've been under the care of two great midwives here and planning a homebirth. I'll certainly be sad to leave them, but living abroad for a couple years is a great personal and professional opporunity for us that's not likely to come again.

So... do any of you have experience with homebirth (or even hospital birth) in Germany? My research thus far says that homebirth is legal and probably about as popular as it is in the States. Seems that doctors are a little more open to alternative practices, but not sure whether medical intervention during birth is as prevalent as it is here. I'd probably prefer a homebirth there if possible, but I don't speak German and my husband's is just okay (don't think the middle of labor and delivery is really a time we need to deal with a language barrier ) Maybe a bilingual doula??

I'm also wondering about birthing classes- the Reed method seems to be the most popular over there, as in most of Europe, but I don't know much about it.

Any information or experiences you can share would be very much appreciated.

Thanks very much,
Rachel

[rmzbm]

Hi Rachel~
While I am certainly no expert I have a LOT of family in Germany & the Czech. republic...and from what I hear HB is much more popular there than here!! I don't think you'll have ANY problem having one...and tons of people in Germany speak English fluently. Every time I have gone they must pick up on my accent because when I open my mouth they start speaking English to me, LOL!!
~Marie

[MistyB]

http://www.mothering.com/discussions...ight=landstuhl

Read my post here! ; )

[*Leni*]

Hello Rachel,

while I haven't given birth myself yet, but I am from Germany and have a couple of friends that had homebirths. You are about right, that they are about as common as they are here, but they are legal and midwifes are readily available in most regions. German midwifes are called "Hebamme", their education is about similar to US CMN's, but usually the ones that do perform homebirths have more of an "alternative" mindset.
Birthing centers are also very popular in Germany and even most Hospitals will try to provide a natural birthing environment. Midwifes are on staff in every hospital that provides OB service (by law).
It is also regulated by law that Health insurance carriers have to pay for midwifery services and birth centers in the same way they would for a hospital birth, for a homebirth private insurers may not cover certain costs.
Most germans speak enough English for a regular conversation, though during a birth a bilingual support person is a really good idea, it will help both you and the midwife feel more comfortable and avoid misunderstandings. Doulas are virtually unheard of, though you may be able to find one if you live close to the swiss or dutch border, or in an area with a larger US population (military bases).
There are a lot of birthing classes and other resources available in most areas and your midwife will be able to point you in the right direction.

Do you know where in Germany you will move to?
Good luck!

[pamamidwife]

have you ever heard of Cornelia Enning? here is her website: http://www.hebinfo.de/ as far as I know, she is one of the few independent midwives in Germany.

of course, for the cost of a round trip ticket, I'd attend a birth in Germany. I fell in love with the country a few years ago during a visit.