I ended up having an emergency C-section and I have my midwife to thank for helping me during the recovery process.

This is not how I had planned for my birth experience to go. While pregnant, I read all the books (including, “Hypnobirthing: Practical Ways to Make your Birth Better”), did pre-natal yoga videos on Youtube, tried to eat healthy and stay active during pregnancy etc. You name a popular pregnancy “must-do” and most likely I tried it.

However, I quickly learned that not everything can be controlled during labor and it is normal for unexpected things to come up. Though I had an unplanned C-section, reflecting back on my labor experience I felt supported, taken care of, and empowered by the women around me at the hospital who uplifted me during my most vulnerable moment. I have my team of midwives (both at the hospital and during post-partum home visits) to thank for this.

There are many benefits to having a midwife for post-partum care including: having someone to check on the health of birthing mothers and their babies, answer any pressing medical questions or concerns, and offer resources and guidance for families. Giving birth abroad in Germany, you usually encounter Midwives at two different stages during the birth process: 1) at a hospital or birth center (if this is where you choose to give birth) and 2) for the first few weeks post-partum once mothers and babies are home. Should you sign up for labor at a hospital or birth center, you will automatically have Midwives supporting you at the hospital. However, in order to receive post-partum support from a Midwife, this is something you have to search for on your own and can be very difficult to find. This is mainly due to the high demand and low number of Midwifes available for post-labor care.

So, how can we gain access to this beneficial but limited resource? To find a Midwife in Germany, here are my biggest tips to follow as soon as you find out you are expecting:

Join Expat Parent Groups and ask for a Referral

I always preach about the power of staying connected to your international expat community, specially as a new parent. After months of making phone calls and sending emails without much luck, during my last trimester of pregnancy I posted the question on how to find a midwife in Germany in my favorite expat parent group in Frankfurt. Within minutes, I received multiple responses from parents offering referrals including, a fellow expat parent who shared her personal midwife list with me to contact. Luckily, the first call I made from that list ended up being my future midwife. This came after months of trying on my own to find someone and nearly giving up on the idea of ever finding a midwife!

Connect with Local Organizations

Should you be unable to find a midwife to visit your home after labor, there are many organizations and family centers that offer Midwife services you can visit directly. One option I explored was attending office hours with my midwife at my local Mehrgenerationenhaus or Familiengesundheitszentrum. Organizations like these, offer Midwife office hours (die Hebammensprechstunde) to help answer your most pressing questions.

I am grateful to have had a midwife who came to visit us almost immediately after we arrived home with our baby. Her first visit was two days after we were home and later she visited us weekly (about 2-3 times per week) for approximately 4 months. Once you find a midwife, you can work together to organize your visits as it best suits the needs of you and your family. This service was fully covered by my public health insurance and as a bonus, she offered a labor 101 course online, walking us through the labor process, what to expect, and shared tips for an easy labor experience.

For me, having a midwife supporting my family and I postpartum meant more to me than I could have imagined. She played a big role in my healing – both physically and mentally – and positively impacted my journey as a new mother. Based on my positive experience, I recommend for other families to explore this option as well.

Take-away Tip: As always, when it comes to finding resources in Germany, it may take a while and many failed attempts. However, do not give up. Staying persistent, sending the emails and making the calls is key for gaining access to such resources and when advocating for yourself throughout the parenting abroad journey