In Germany you currently still have the great opportunity to decide for yourself where, how and with whom you want to give birth to your child. At least in theory...

I'll give you a little overview here.

For further information, please contact the relevant midwives/houses or contact me.

With your loved ones and a trusted home birth midwife of your choice, you can give birth to your child in the home you know.

In the best case scenario, you get to know the midwife early in your pregnancy so that you can find out what is important to you and build a relationship of trust with one another.

The midwife will then discuss with you what you should get and have ready, for example, and clarify whether your apartment/house is suitable.

The requirement for a home birth is an uncomplicated pregnancy with a healthy pregnant person and child.

Your midwife can explain the exact regulations to you.

A second midwife usually comes in at the end of the birth.

With a home birth, 1:1 care is guaranteed, which means that a midwife is only responsible for you and does not look after any other women giving birth at the same time.

The midwives usually charge a so-called on-call fee ("Rufbereitschaftspauschale") so that they can be available to you day and night from a certain point in pregnancy. The height of this varies.

The costs of the birth itself are usually covered by health insurance companies.

The midwife will stay with you for around four hours after the birth to monitor whether you and the baby are doing well. Afterwards she leaves you alone and initially visits you up to twice a day.

If you are interested in a home birth, you should seek out a suitable midwife VERY EARLY in your pregnancy, as capacity is very limited and quickly exhausted.

There is a good selection of birthing centers in Berlin.

These are facilities in which only midwives take care of the birth. A home birth, so to speak, just not in your own home, because great value is placed on the cozy atmosphere.

Here, too, you should try to make contact very early in your pregnancy. Many birthing centers work with hospitals to which they can transfer women in emergency situations.

The prerequisite for a birth center is an uncomplicated pregnancy with a healthy pregnant person and baby.

Your midwife can explain the exact regulations to you.

Here, as well, two midwives are usually present at the end of the birth.

In the birthing center you have 1:1 care just like you would with a home birth. The midwife takes care only about you. The midwives usually charge a so-called on-call fee so that they can be available to you day and night from a certain point in time. The height of this varies. The costs of the birth itself are covered by statutory health insurance companies.

If you and the child are well and nothing else speaks against it, you can go home about four hours after the birth.

If you are interested in a birth center, you should try to find a place very early in your pregnancy, as capacity is very limited and quickly exhausted.

Many pregnant women like the idea of giving birth in a hospital delivery room because of the (supposed) safety aspect.

If you don't want to miss out on 1:1 care here, try to find an attending midwife early enough.

You can find these either using the usual midwife searches, or (if you already know which clinic you want to give birth in) directly via the website of the chosen hospital.

A gynecologist will always attend the birth of the baby in the very end.

It is up to you whether you choose a clinic with or without a NICU.

It may be important for you to find out in advance whether the clinic you choose has the “baby and breastfeeding friendly” certification.

The midwives usually charge a so-called on-call fee so that they can be available to you day and night from a certain point in time. The height of this varies. The costs of the birth itself are covered by statutory health insurance companies. If you and the child are well and nothing else speaks against it, you can leave the hospital at least four hours after the birth (outpatient birth).
You can as well stay in the hospital in the postpartum ward for up to three days after a vaginal birth and up to five days after a cesarean section.

Afterwards, a freelance midwife can look after you at home during the postpartum period

Most children in Germany are born in this setting.

You choose a hospital and register there, eventually going there to give birth.

Unfortunately, you are not entitled to 1:1 care here, as the midwives often have to look after other birthing women or families immediately after the birth.

It can also happen that there is a shift change during your birth and you get to know several midwives.

A gynecologist will be seen by the end of your child's birth at the latest.

Here, too, you have the option of going to a clinic with or without a NICU.

It may be important for you to find out in advance whether the house you choose has the “baby and breastfeeding friendly” certification.

You will not incur any additional costs because everything is covered by statutory health insurance. If you and the child are well and nothing else speaks against it, you can leave the hospital at least four hours after the birth (outpatient birth).

You can as well choose to stay in the hospital in the postpartum ward for up to three days after a vaginal birth and up to five days after a cesarean section.

Afterwards, a freelance midwife can look after you at home during the postpartum period.