Giving birth in Germany: What you need to know

Expecting a baby in Germany can feel both exciting and overwhelming, especially if it's your first time. I am an expat from France who has given birth twice in Germany and is now a doula in Berlin. A doula is a trained professional who accompanies families through pregnancy, birth and postpartum.

Through my experiences, I have seen how cultures of birth and parenthood vary across countries, and how aspects of the German system can be surprising from the outside. Here are the key things every expat should know about giving birth in Germany.

Comprehensive medical care

Germany is known for its culture of thoroughness, and that extends to medical care for pregnant women, new mothers and newborns. Medical help will be with you through every step of the process.

Prenatal and postnatal care

Prenatal care is thorough: Expect about 10 check-ups before your due date; monthly in the first two trimesters, and more often in the last. Ultrasounds with your gynaecologist (Frauenarzt) are standard practice.

After birth, you’ll receive regular visits from your midwife and a check-up with your gynaecologist. Health insurance also covers Rückbildungsgymnastik (postnatal pelvic floor and abdominal exercises). Picture a room of moms in yoga pants, doing synchronised aerobics with babies in tow, and sharing laughs and postpartum stories!

The paediatrician (Kinderartz) carries out regular check-ups (U-Untersuchungen) and vaccinations according to government schedules. Babies are examined head to toe in the early years: eyesight, dental, motor, cognitive and psychological development are all looked at.

The role of the midwife

In Germany, the midwife (Hebamme) is central in prenatal and postnatal care. They are covered by insurance and usually work as freelancers, visiting you during pregnancy and after birth. However, unless you find the rare Beleghebamme, your midwife won’t attend the delivery in the hospital; instead, you’ll be looked after by whoever is on shift.

Continuous 1-to-1 care during labour is rare, mainly due to staff shortages. That’s one reason more expats (and locals) hire doulas for constant support. In big cities like Berlin, midwives are in high demand. Start looking as soon as you know you’re pregnant!

Birth settings

In Germany, you can give birth in a maternity hospital (Geburtsklinik/Krankenhaus), a midwife-led birth centre (Geburtshaus) or at home (Hausgeburt). You’re free to choose your setting, and you are not bound by a catchment area. You can visit clinics or birth centres during information evenings and “interview” midwives before deciding. For Berliners, here is a map showing all the birth settings in Berlin.

After birth, hospital stays are usually two to four days, unless you choose an Ambulante Geburt (walk-in birth), where you go home within hours. Some hospitals offer the very coveted family rooms (Familienzimmer), which are private rooms where both parents can stay. Otherwise, you’ll room-in with the baby, while your partner visits during set hours. In some hospitals, mothers share rooms, so you might have some company during your stay.

Wochenbett: Time to recover

The Wochenbett is the six to eight weeks after birth. During this special time, new mothers are encouraged to rest, bond with their baby, and drink plenty of Stilltee (a herbal tea to boost lactation). A German midwives’ saying goes: Eine Woche im Bett, eine Woche am Bett, eine Woche ums Bett herum (one week in bed, one week on the bed, one week around the bed). This is the true essence of the German Wochenbett!

Expats without nearby family often hire postpartum doulas for support at home. Thanks to generous leave policies, most mothers can spend these first weeks focusing on recovery and bonding.

Natural approaches to care

Natural care is highly valued in Germany. Don’t be surprised if your midwife suggests spreading quark (a type of cream cheese) on your sore breasts, offers acupuncture to prep your body for labour, or recommends squirting breastmilk on your baby's bum to protect against nappy rashes!

In Germany, about 80% of women who give birth vaginally do so without epidural anaesthesia, opting for unmedicated, natural birth experiences. Wards are designed to support movement and natural positions, with Pezzi balls, ropes to hang from, and birthing tubs. The focus is on creating a supportive environment where the body’s natural process is trusted and encouraged.

The majority of mothers breastfeed, with nearly seven out of 10 babies being exclusively breastfed at birth. Your local Stillcafé (breastfeeding meetup) offers advice and a welcoming community.
While many appreciate this support, some families may feel overwhelmed or pressured if they choose not to breastfeed.

A family-oriented system

Germany is one of the most family-friendly countries in Europe, where parenting is seen as a shared responsibility, and family life is prioritised. Parental leave (Elternzeit) can be shared between both parents and comes with a generous allowance (Elterngeld).

Working part-time or taking sabbaticals is common. Childcare is heavily subsidised and often free, especially in Berlin. Everyday life is kid-friendly: playgrounds everywhere, family cafés, and restaurants with buggy spaces, changing tables, and highchairs.

Navigating it all can be challenging

Deciding where and how to give birth can feel overwhelming, especially if German isn’t your strong suit or if it’s your first baby. Planning ahead and feeling informed makes a big difference, which is why a doula can be invaluable in this process.

While the system is generous, it’s also incredibly bureaucratic. Understanding policies and filling out applications can feel like a full-time job. Some expats even hire consultants to help with this!

My advice: Prepare as much paperwork as possible before the birth. Pre-fill applications, leaving only the final details blank, such as the baby’s birth certificate. That way, you won’t get overwhelmed by forms during the first busy weeks with your newborn. May your journey into parenthood in Germany be filled with confidence and joy!