Finding a midwife — when to search and how does it work?

Finding a Midwife — START RIGHT AFTER Your Positive Test!

In a nutshell: In Germany, every pregnant woman is ENTITLED to a midwife — it's covered by health insurance! But: midwives are in high demand. Start searching as soon as you get a positive test. The earlier, the better.

When to search?

• IMMEDIATELY after a positive pregnancy test (weeks 4-6)
• Many midwives are booked up 6-8 months in advance
• Don't get discouraged — keep asking after rejections, use waiting lists

Where to search?

1. Online midwife search:
   • hebammensuche.de (GKV-Spitzenverband)
   • ammely.de (Kassenärztliche Vereinigung)
2. Ask your OB/GYN — they often have local contacts
3. Birth center/Hospital — have their own midwife lists
4. Recommendations — friends, neighbors, local mother groups
5. Social media — local Facebook groups, Instagram

What does a midwife do?

Before birth:

• Prenatal check-ups (as an alternative to your OB/GYN)
• Treat pregnancy discomforts
• Childbirth preparation class
• Advice on birth, breastfeeding, postpartum recovery

During birth:

• Support in the hospital, birth center, or at home
• Independent midwife = YOUR midwife at birth (not the hospital midwife)

After birth (COVERED BY HEALTH INSURANCE!):

• Postpartum home visits (up to 12 weeks after birth, longer if needed)
• Breastfeeding support
• Umbilical cord care, weight checks, postnatal exercise
• Emotional support

Costs

• Health insurance coverage: Prenatal care, postpartum visits, breastfeeding support = FREE
• Independent midwife: On-call fee approximately €250-500 (your share; some insurers reimburse partially)
• Childbirth preparation class: Free for pregnant women, partner portion approximately €80-150

If you CAN'T find a midwife

• Postpartum midwife has priority (ask even if you only need postpartum care)
• Midwife emergency service — some regions have referral centers
• Family midwife — through youth services, free, up to 1 year after birth
• Online midwives — kinderheldin.de, keleya.de (video consultations)

Don't give up. You have a RIGHT to a midwife.

This information does not replace medical advice.