Pregnant Germany

Pregnant Germany

What to Do if you Get Pregnant in Germany

Motherlord of an American expat family in Berlin. I hail from rainy (but lovely!) Seattle & am raising two little Berliners. Drink, travel, write.

Erin "ebe" Porter
on May 27, 2014 at 11:35 pm

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When I first found out I was pregnant in Germany, I freaked out. I was married and happy, we were kinda trying but I was still terrified. I suspect I would have been apprehensive no matter where I was, but there were so many questions about how this would go in Germany.
I dug into the German-Way archives and their experience calmed me. I had seen the mobs of hip, strollered woman parading around Prenzlauer Berg. I could do this. I did do this. And you can, too. Here are the first few steps of what to do when you find out you’re pregnant in Germany.

Pregnancy Tests in Germany
The usual symptoms alerted me that I might be in need of a pregnancy test, but first I had to figure out exactly what that was called. While I practiced the mouth cocktail that is the German word for preganant, Schwanger (try saying it, “shh-vong-er”), I seriously stumbled on Schwangerschaftstest (pregnancy test).
Next on my list was where I could buy said pregnancy test. Unlike the USA where there are a plethora of over-the-counter drugs at most grocery stores and pharmacies, Germans keep a tight leash on their pharmaceuticals big and small . A talk with your friendly Apotheke is required for everything from a head cold to an upset stomach. I was fretting about having to discuss the most delicate of matters with the kind – but brusque – German ladies who run our local shop. Luckily, I remembered seeing and photographing for comedic proof the “Maybe Baby” pregnancy test vending machines on the S-Bahn platforms (as seen above). Has there ever been a better product name? This surely meant pregnancy tests were readily available so I headed to the nearest DM.
My hypothesis proved correct and soon I was standing in my very own bathroom, trying to decipher the German directions. My German-speaking husband and years of television dramas guided me through the process. Abject terror, hope and absolute uncertainty were all emotions at the forefront. I didn’t need to be fluent in German to understand that the strong blue line meant that we were having a German.
Meeting With Your Doctor
Our next stop was at my Frauenarzt (gynecologist) to confirm the findings. We were there initially to consult on an insurance claim (ugh – private insurance), but Herr Doktor calmly answered our apprehensive questions before asking if I’d like to hop on the table and take a look by Ultraschall (ultrasound). We blinked. Already?…see the baby? He had estimated that the fetus was about 7 weeks along and the American pregnancy sites I had been reading said nothing about such an early check. But we only hesitated for a moment before we said, “YES! Yes, please show us this tiny thing that it upending our entire life”.
With the flick of his wand, a small blurb appeared on the screen within my uterus. No idea what we should be looking for, we held our breath and looked to the doc to fill us in. He informed us that it had made it to the right place (no ectopic pregnancy) and everything was in ordnung . (What pleasure it must give a German doctor to utter those words.)
From the doctor I picked up my first prenatal vitamins, the very common Femibion brand in Germany, so I could start observing some folic acid and then I had to just wait. As you’ve undoubtedly heard, the first three months are the most uncertain whether you are in Germany the USA or Namibia. This is a golden time where you will look for all the small signs that your body is growing a human being (exhaustion, nausea, a glowing sense that you are incredible).
And about 100 steps later I can tell you that I did it! I had a baby in Germany and learned so much along the way. If someone as clueless about all things baby as me can do it, so can you.
This edited GW Expat Blog post was originally published on May 26th, 2014.
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As a fellow expat and former Seattleite (1996-2001) I really felt for you, having now had two kids in Germany. Both my kids (5 and 18 months) are healthy and bright and I think the better prenatal and especially POSTnatal care here helped a lot.
First bit of advice – get a Hebamme. A good one who you like and trust; she should speak English if you’re not comfortable in German. Ideally you can get one who works ‘ausserklinisch’ (at a Geburtshaus for example) so in a pinch she can do your exams at home. This was a HUGE help to me when I was HUGE and even taking the tram was a trek.
There are multiple ways to plan births here, everything from as natural as possible to planned C-sections, depending on your, and your baby’s needs. One BIG plus in Germany; Hebammen (midwives) are very highly trained, in addition to being certified and insured. When my brother was fretting about us planning a home birth with my first, I reassured him that the midwife could get us to the hospital if she was at all uncomfortable with the birth ‘before the doctor finishes his coffee’ and this turned out to be absolutely true.
There will also be midwives in the hospital who have the same training, including lactation advising and newborn care.
Both my births were planned ‘Ausserklinisch’, both ended up being in the hospital after all (C-sections, babies fine). In both cases the midwife was my best partner in pregnancy, in the long, long labor process, and in getting used to baby and nursing. In both cases I was glad I labored in a more cosy environment as long as I could. And in both cases I felt my midwives were sensitive, competent, and trustworthy.
I wasn’t registered with a hospital; with my first we went to the closest, and with my second we ‘had time’ so went to the one my second midwife liked best, which turned out to be MUCH better in terms of warm, human care, family room (so hubby could stay and we had a week’s mini-vacation getting to know our son), extra food for hungry moms, etc. As with the doctor and midwife, trust your gut instinct! Kindness should be part of professionalism and I believe in rewarding those professionals who are kind and warm with my business. 🙂
In terms of pregnancy in general, I hope you like and trust your doctor (you can switch, you know; I did!) and are getting exercise (some courses might be paid for by your insurance – ask!) and eating well. You may have discovered that Germans don’t believe in vitamins; I had my mom send me some anyway, because it’s so culturally ingrained in me that a pregnant woman needs her prenatal vitamins! I also took extra essential fatty acids, available here in the Apotheke.
Take a look at the flea markets for kids’ stuff – your best shopping bet for the next years, and as far as I know nothing like them in the US. At ours, you can get in earlier and avoid the rush if you’re pregnant (showing your Mutterpass) and this is a great way to stock up on recycled baby gear as well as maternity clothes and the other stuff you ‘need’ for a newborn.
Get to know other pregnant mamas, both those expecting their first ‘Kind’ and those with more experience ! Pregnancy yoga, birth preparation classes (another HUGE plus – make sure your partner can take part; his insurance might pay for it too), are all nice ways to make new friends who are in the same boat as you and who you can meet up with after the baby is here. They can also help ease you into German kid culture – I found this really helpful for learning baby songs and rhymes, learning that Germans call their kids ‘mouse’ (I couldn’t bring myself to do so) and other fun cultural oddities.
There’s so much more but I’ll stop and say good luck, be well have fun, and enjoy your pregnancy as much as possible, meaning SLEEP now while you can. 😀
Anne in Bremen
Thanks so much for sharing your vast experience Anne! I so appreciate your advice and will do my best to plan accordingly. For now, it certainly feels like I am on one wild ride.
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From finding a gynecologist to delivery costs, postnatal classes, and more, here’s what you need to know about having babies in Germany.
If you are having a baby in Germany, you will be pleased to know that the German healthcare system is high-quality. It offers a great deal in terms of clinical care to ensure the best possible outcomes for parents and their newborn. We explain what you need to know when giving birth in Germany and what services are available. This guide explains each stage of childbirth in Germany:
Cigna Global provides comprehensive health insurance to over 86 million customers in over 200 countries. They have a wide access to trusted hospitals, clinics and doctors and provide expats with help on tailoring a plan to suit your individual healthcare needs.
The COVID-19 pandemic has been a difficult time for everyone. Many expats find themselves separated from family and loved ones in their home countries. As a foreigner, it is also sometimes difficult to find critical information regarding coronavirus infection rates, local measures, and restrictions, and now, thankfully, vaccinations.
Approximately 785,000 babies were born in Germany in 2017, with a total fertility rate of 1.57 children per woman. Data from the nation’s Federal Statistical Office shows that nearly every fourth child born in Germany the previous year had a foreign mother. One in five German residents has foreign roots.
Having a baby in Germany combines the best of birth worlds. Expectant mothers learn about essential oils and feel-good home remedies, but also have access to the latest technology. While midwives ( Hebammen ) are your essential point of contact, expect to have at least three and up to nine ultrasound tests during pregnancy. At all points, expect to receive a barrage of information about the process, what you’re going through, and more. German law requires medical professionals to advise patients of what they’re dealing it.
Women can give birth in a hospital, birth house or at home, with all the options covered by health insurance. Private maternity options are also available for foreigners who want a risk-free delivery. Anyone living in Germany will need to be registered with a German health insurance scheme to have costs covered. If you’re also working in Germany and paying into the German social security scheme , you may claim maternity leave. There are also other benefits available once you have a baby in Germany, such as child benefits and childcare allowances.
After giving birth in Germany, you must arrange your baby’s registration and apply for a German birth certificate. A child born on German soil or to German parents can claim German citizenship if they meet certain conditions.
In Germany, both state-funded and private health insurance schemes cover an annual visit to the gynecologist ( Frauenarzt ) for every woman over the age of 20. You can choose to either consult the same gynecologist you see every year or book an appointment with another, either through your GP or by ringing one close to you.
Once they’ve decided they want to have a baby, many German women also visit their gynecologist for advice on conception.
Keep in mind that gynecologists and obstetricians are different professionals in Germany. Pre-natal checkups are carried out by your gynecologist, but they will only attend a birth if they’re registered with your hospital of choice. An obstetrician will only attend the birth if there are complications.
Expatica’s guide on visiting a specialist in Germany covers how to go about the process.
Your state German health insurance will typically cover the basic costs of pregnancy and childbirth. You may, however, find additional costs for some of the paperwork for giving birth in Germany. If you give birth in a private hospital, check what your private health insurance covers or what costs you must incur for the baby’s delivery and care.
Some of the largest health insurance companies in Germany, called Krankenkassen , include:
You can compare private health insurance providers in Germany and get free quotes on our special Expatica health insurance page .
Think you might be pregnant? In Germany, you need a Schwangerschaftstest ! A standard urine test is available at a supermarket or pharmacy ( Apotheke ); in the major cities, you’ll find them at vending machines at train stations! Such tests have an accuracy rate of about 98% and are accurate from the first day your period is due. There are also tests you can use earlier – ask the pharmacist which works for you.
If your test’s positive or you don’t want to fiddle about, your gynecologist can do a more comprehensive blood test. Like urine tests, these look for the beta HCG hormone; the placenta produces this, but blood tests usually detect the hormone earlier. In most cases, your doctor will need to prescribe the lab work for insurance to cover it. Read Expatica’s guide to finding a doctor in Germany .
The Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth provides several services to women who need support and advice regarding their pregnancy. A 24-hour, free hotline is available on 0800 40 40 020 in 18 languages, as well as online support.
Abortion ( Abtreibung ) is a controversial topic in Germany, but in middle European style, the two parties have reached a compromise. The German penal code – the Nazi-era provision is known as Paragraph 219a – now defines abortion under certain circumstances as “illegal, but without threat of punishment”. What this means is that a woman and her gynecologist may decide upon an abortion together in three cases. These are, on criminal grounds following sexual abuse (within 12 weeks), on medical grounds (within 22 weeks), and if the child is likely to be born with a physical or mental disability, in which case the doctor must give the pregnant woman detailed information on caring for children with disabilities before she opts for an abortion. Insurance companies usually cover these procedures.
Women have the legal right to terminate their pregnancy or undergo an abortion in Germany. They are expected to attend schwangerschaftskonfliktsberatung (pre-termination counseling). About 96% of abortions carried out in Germany are through this program. Women may have an abortion within 12 weeks after conception, provided they meet the following conditions:
As of February 2019, it is easier to find abortion clinics in Germany, following revisions to the country’s abortion law. Doctors and clinics can now say they offer abortions on their websites, but not what sort of procedures they use.
Women must pay for the abortion procedure themselves, but some low-income women may be eligible for state support.
The abortion pill is legal in Germany for the first 63 days of pregnancy. Not all clinics offer it, however.
In all cases, women should ask as many questions as necessary to understand the legal and medical situation as well as the pro
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