Unfortunately, finding a midwife is not that easy these days. Due to the precarious pay and insurance situation, there are too few midwives in many places to meet the increasing demand. It is therefore important that you look for a midwife in good time so that she can look after you during your pregnancy and during and after the birth. In this blog article, we have therefore put together the most important questions on the topic of “How do I find a midwife?”
Tips for finding a midwife at a glance:
> How can I calculate the due date?
> When should I start looking for a midwife?
> What if I can't find a midwife?
> Are there alternatives to a midwife?
> What are the duties of a midwife?
How do I find a midwife?
There are many different ways you can look for a midwife. You can either ask directly at your preferred clinic, your gynecologist or at the birthing center. You can also ask your relatives and friends who were happy with their midwife. Another place to look is the midwife associations. You can also check the availability of all midwives in your area online using the following links:
- https://www.hebammenverband.de/
- https://www.hebammensuche.de/
- https://www.ammely.de/
- List of midwives of the statutory health insurance
When researching midwives, do I always have to state my estimated due date? How can I determine this?
It's actually quite simple. You probably keep a period calendar and therefore know the first day of your last period. Then you can easily calculate the due date using the Naegele rule. The formula is:
(Date of the 1st day of your last period + 7 days) – 3 months.
So if your last period started on 4.8.2020, for example, you calculate 4.8.2020 + 7 days makes 11.8.2020. Then you go back another 3 months and get 11.5.2021
When should I start looking for a midwife?
As already mentioned, it is advisable to look for a midwife in good time. This is especially true if you want to be looked after during pregnancy. Conversely, this means that as soon as you notice that you are pregnant, you can start researching your midwife. If you are looking for a midwife exclusively for the birth and aftercare, you can take a little more time. It is best to prepare for your first meeting with a few specific questions, such as how often your midwife will visit you and whether you can call her spontaneously if you have any questions. This way you can decide on your midwife based on your gut feeling.
What if I can't find a midwife?
Every woman in Germany has a legal right to a midwife. The Social Code states: "The insured person is entitled to medical care and midwifery assistance during pregnancy, during and after childbirth." (§ 24d SGB V) According to the legal obligation to call in a midwife, a doctor may only deliver the baby without a midwife in emergencies. Otherwise, a midwife is usually present at the birth. During the birth, you will be supported by either your chosen midwife or a midwife employed by the clinic of your choice.
Due to the high demand for midwifery care and the unfortunately too few practicing midwives, it may be that you will only find a suitable midwife for during and after the birth. When looking for a midwife, the motto is simple: persevere and keep looking. If you would like to have support during your pregnancy, you can also look for an alternative to a midwife.
Are there alternatives to a midwife?
There is actually an alternative to the midwife: the doula. Her name comes from the Greek “ δούλη” (pronounced “duli”), which means “servant”. Unlike a midwife, a doula is not allowed to carry out medical examinations. However, she will be there to offer you advice and support during pregnancy, as well as during and after the birth . She is a woman with experience of childbirth who provides emotional and physical support. This tradition of birth support is historically anchored in many cultures and is now particularly common in the USA. If you would like to be accompanied attentively up to and beyond the birth, then the support of a doula may be the right thing for you.
What are the duties of a midwife?
Before birth:
The midwife will advise you on all aspects of pregnancy and the birth process. She will answer your questions about nutrition and sexuality during pregnancy or advise you on what you need to pay attention to as an expectant mother. Midwives also offer courses and help with birth preparation. As long as no complications arise, the midwife can also carry out most medical examinations. Ultrasound examinations alone can only be carried out by a gynecologist.
During birth:
The midwife will also be there to support you throughout the entire birth process. She will assist you during the delivery and provide initial care for your newborn child. Your midwife will also help you with the first breastfeeding session.
After birth:
You are also entitled to midwife care during the postpartum period. She can come to you up to the 12th week after the birth and support you in your first steps together. She will also help you care for your baby and monitor its development. She can also advise you during the recovery period.
