German words you need to know if you are having a baby in Germany

Being new to Germany while expecting can be a steep learning curve. It's like having to master two languages at once: German, alongside the specific terms of the German healthcare system. Germany has a unique birth culture, combining high medical standards with strong midwifery traditions. It celebrates the traditional mother, while offering modern and generous family-friendly policies.

In this guide, I’ve gathered keywords every expat should know. They define concepts that are unique to Germany and reflect the unique blend of poetry and precision that characterises the German language.

Elterngeld, Kindergeld, Elternzeit

These are key family-friendly policies that make Germany a great place to become a new parent. Germany has a unique culture of work-life balance, placing family at the centre.

• Elterngeld (Parent’s money): Parental allowance to support families financially after a baby is born. Usually available for up to 12 months, at about 67% of your salary.
• Kindergeld (Children's money): Monthly child benefit for all children, usually around 250 euros, regardless of your income!
• Elternzeit (Parent's time): Paid or unpaid parental leave that allows parents to take time off work to care for their child.

Geburtsplan

A Geburtsplan is your birth plan, a written document outlining your wishes and preferences for labour and birth. It helps you, your birth companion(s) and healthcare providers understand what’s important to you. 

A birth plan is not official, but it encourages you to learn about common procedures and interventions, reflect on your wishes and communicate them clearly during birth. As a doula, I support many expats in writing their birth plan for safe and empowering births.

Geburtshaus

A Geburtshaus, or birth house, is a birth centre managed by midwives, where you can get prenatal and postnatal care, and also deliver your baby. They are reserved for low-risk pregnancies.

They provide a homely atmosphere, and interventions are limited, offering a perfect atmosphere for a natural birth. In the case that medical intervention is required, you would be transferred to a hospital.

Geburtsurkunde

The Geburtsurkunde is the birth certificate, the official document issued by the registry office (Standesamt) after your baby is born. It can be a test of patience with the complex German bureaucracy: in some parts of Berlin, it takes weeks to receive it! You’ll need it for many important things, including applying for family benefits.

Hausgeburt

 A home birth is called a Hausgeburt. In Germany, you can hire a special midwife (Hausgeburtshebamme) to deliver your baby at home. The normalcy of birth outside the hospital varies by region, and accounted for about 2% of births in Germany in 2023.

Hebamme

The Hebamme is your midwife, and they are your key to giving birth in Germany. Start looking for one as soon as you get a positive test; midwives are in high demand!

Your midwife will care for your health and your baby’s during pregnancy, and support you after birth (during home visits). They also help with breastfeeding, baby care, starting solids and so on, and it's all covered by insurance.

Beleghebamme

If you give birth in a hospital (Geburtsklinik) or birth centre (Geburtshaus), you’ll usually be attended by whoever is on shift. In contrast, a Beleghebamme (assigned midwife) is booked to attend your birth in a hospital or a birth centre. There is a shortage of these, so if you find one available, book them!

Doula

A trained birth companion who provides emotional, physical, and informational support during pregnancy, birth and after birth. The concept was popularised in the U.S. in the 1970s. More and more expats are privately hiring doulas to make their birth and early parenthood experience in Germany smoother and more reassuring.

Krankenkasse

Krankenkasse literally means "sickness fund," which is the German term for state health insurance. The first step for any expectant mother should be to make sure that you are covered by German health insurance. 

Statutory health insurance provides generous and comprehensive cover for mothers and children, from check-ups to childbirth and vaccines. If you have private health insurance, you should check with your provider to see exactly what is covered.

Kreißsaal

The Kreißsaal is the screeching room, a rather literal name for the delivery room in a hospital, deriving from the Middle High German krizen. It’s named after what most people do there… In Germany, a majority of women choose a natural birth, unmedicated birth and expressing yourself during labour is a true part of the process, not something to be ashamed of.

Mutterpass

The Mutterpass, or mother's passport, is the booklet you receive at the start of pregnancy, with all your medical notes and results recorded in it. As its name suggests, this is an essential document; you will be asked for it at every appointment, so it's best to keep it with you at all times.

Stillen

Stillen is the German word for breastfeeding. But unlike the English word, stillen also carries the sense of quieting or soothing. It reflects how German culture sees breastfeeding: not just as a means of nutrition, but as comfort and bonding between mother and baby.

Breastfeeding is very common in Germany; almost seven out of 10 babies are exclusively breastfed at birth, with a further two out of 10 wanting to but being unable to for various reasons. About half of babies will still be being breastfed at six months.

Wochenbett

A Wochenbett literally translates as a “week bed”. Traditionally, women rested in bed for several weeks after giving birth. This period of about six to eight weeks after the birth is sacred in Germany. During this time, you are invited to (bed)rest, heal, eat and bond with your baby. Throughout these weeks, your midwife will visit regularly to check that both you and your baby are healthy. 

Many expats who have little family support hire a postpartum doula to help take care of the mother, baby and household. If you are facing special hardships, such as being a single parent or having further medical issues, you may be eligible for a state-supported helper (Mutterpflegerin).

Some acronyms

• ET (Entbindungstermin): Your estimated due date (for example, ET 07.01.2026)
• PDA (Periduralanästhesie): The epidural, a pain relief given through an injection in your spine during labour. Epidurals are relatively rare in Germany (around 20%) compared to some places, such as the USA (around 70%) or neighbouring France (around 75%)
• SSW (Schwangerschaftswoche): Pregnancy week, as in, the week of pregnancy you’re in. So SSW 30 = 30 weeks pregnant.

Don't worry in silence

Just remember, Germany has a system that is extremely supportive of new parents. If you are unsure of anything, how something works or what a word means, you can always ask. People want to help you and make this an exciting time, not a stressful one.