Considering this is my second time having a baby in Germany, I expected to have fewer questions.

In some ways, I do feel much more confident than the first time. My German is better, I am familiar with procedure at the Frauenarzt (OBGYN), and labor seems less terrifying than the first time around. I even contributed to the German-Way’s Guide on Having a Baby in Germany as well as many random pregnancy & kid posts.

Day 1 PHOTO: Erin Porter

But questions keep coming up. What was that awful German word for amniotic fluid again? (Fruchtwasser – shudder.) How should I get to the hospital? What do I pack in my hospital bag?

So here I am, answering those questions other families might have about having a baby in Germany.

When should I go to the hospital?

Last time I was pregnant, I had to be induced because this girl was just never coming. She was measuring large (born at over 9 lbs/4,000 grams*), and though healthy, at almost 42 weeks we all needed her to get out.

This meant I skipped the whole scene from the movies where your water breaks and you frantically get an ambulance to the hospital. We rode the bus over at our appointed time and I took 3 pills that day as I walked and walked and walked around the hospital, then the grounds, then the surrounding area. We bought a newspaper thinking it had to happen that day.

By that evening, only light, inconsistent contractions had begun so my husband went home and I was settled into a shared room in the maternity ward. Labor finally started around 1am the next morning and we had a baby by midday.

While I have no major complaints about the first time, I still feel like I missed out on the that whole laboring at home part. So I asked at the hospital anmeldung (registration)  when I should go in. I had read about different formulas like contractions should last at least 60 seconds, be less than 5 minutes apart, for at least an hour.

The Hebamme (midwife) answering our questions was much more zen. She shrugged her shoulders and said the contractions should be strong enough where I can’t speak through them, be consistent, and have been happening for about an hour. Much less exact, and much more of a listen to your body answer which is consistent with the advice I have gotten from Hebammen here.

*If you are an American like me, get to know your measurements in the German standard. That means cm for height, kilograms for weight etc. I have had to pull my phone out and google my height multiple times this pregnancy because 5’4 means nothing to them.

How do I get to the hospital?

Again, I had skipped the race to the hospital last time so I wasn’t sure if I could manage the short bus ride, or if I should take a taxi, or if I needed to call a Krankenwagen (ambulance).

The Hebamme again offered a more elegant solution. Krankenkasse (public insurance) allows you to take a non-emergency vehicle to the hospital for just 5-10 euros (covered completely in some cases). At the anmeldung meeting I was given a referral and a phone number. After the birth I will mail this document to my insurance.

What aids are available at the hospital?

I was basically informed about what to expect with the first labor. I took a Geburtsvorbereitung (prenatal course). But there is nothing like going through labor to give you a much better perspective on what is involved.

From what I gather about having a baby in the USA, everyone has a birth plan. While that isn’t actively discouraged here, it is also not the norm. The German healthcare culture is much more “the doctor knows best”. A good doctor should make you feel like you know what to expect, but they won’t ask if you have questions. Similarly with birth, you are expected to follow directions more than direct the process.

That worked for me. Most things went off without a hitch for my first baby. Other things, not so much. For example, I didn’t realize it is common to kotzen (vomit) throughout labor. I was not a fan and wanted to try to avoid this fate.

Again, my zen master Hebamme said there is little they can do that would guarantee I won’t spend early labor huffing into a plastic bag. (Side note: The vomit bags they offer at the hospital are top shelf). She did offer a range of Ätherische Öle (essential oils) that can help if I ask for them. There is also Lachgas (gas), balance balls, baths and showers, and a room dedicated to water birth. If you want it, they have it.

I have heard some women online worry that the Germans embrace of alternative or Eastern therapies mean they are reluctant to administer western pain relief like the PDA (epidurals). I did not find that to be the case. For me, German healthcare has been the best of both worlds.

What are the rooms like in the maternity ward?

Last time we had a private room. If the maternity ward is not too crowded, you can have a room to yourself, your baby, and your partner for just 65 euro. This includes a second hospital bed for your partner to sleep on and meals* for them as well. If the maternity ward is too busy, private rooms may not be available.

Public rooms can house up to 4 new moms and babies so they can be quite crowded. However, I think we will go for this option as having an older child, she is not able to stay with us in the private room anyway.

*A word about food at the hospital – it is very traditional. What that means is the morning and evening meal are basically the same, with a warm lunch. I liked our lunch, but the breakfast and dinner had me half-starved as it consisted of rolls, deli meat, cheese, some sliced fruit and vegetables. Think very basic Abendbrot. Top tip is to bring some snacks and send your partner to get more food.

How soon can you leave the hospital?

You can take your time leaving the German hospital. A 3-day stay is common for a typical delivery and allows for your baby to have their first few checks (U1-2) during your stay.

This is quite luxurious, but I am not sure if I want to spend that much time at the hospital. When I gave birth on a Friday, the usual U2 baby exam should have happened two days later on a Sunday but – this is Germany – Kinderarzt (pediatrician) aren’t in on Sundays so I had to stay an extra day. Having my older child, husband, and visiting father at home means I will want to get out there.

If you want to leave straight away, you can leave 6 hours after giving birth. The hospital does need to do the U1 exam, and recommends staying overnight. If you do leave early, your Hebamme can do the U2 exam in the following days. To do this, your Hebamme can give you paperwork your Kinderarzt needs to sign off on. Ideally, this is arranged beforehand but can be filled out afterwards if need be.

What should I pack in my hospital bag in Germany?

There are a billion lists of what to bring in your hospital bag, and it really comes down to a matter of personal preference. If you are delivering in a hospital or Geburtshaus, they have everything you will absolutely need. Here is my list of what I brought.

From what I hear about German hospital compared to the States, there are less amenities so things like clothes you prefer to labor in, towel/robe for the shower, toothbrush, shampoo, etc. should all be brought. They will have everything for the baby (diapers, clothes, etc.), although most people choose to bring a cute outfit to bring baby home. Also, snacks. For you, your partner, and any siblings. Remember – Abendbrot.

This is one of the reasons costs are much lower for a hospital stay in Germany. When I asked about exact costs, I was quoted:

• 1 day: 918 euro + 334 euro for baby stay/care
• 4 days: 1,150 euro + 860 euro for baby stay/care
• C-section (stay of 6 days): 2,790 euro + 860 euro for baby stay/care

Other things you should think about are documents. I need to dig out both my husband’s and my birth certificate, the  birth certificate of my older daughter, marriage certificate, and our passports. Plus the ever-present Mutterpass and insurance card.

The hospital will provide you a handy pamphlet with what to bring – mine even gave me an English translation! Speaking of translations, I have heard mixed information if you need these documents translated. In my experience in Berlin, documents in English have been accepted with no question. 

PHOTO: Erin Porter

More German Pregnancy Vocabulary

• Fruchtwasser – amniotic fluid (using it in a sentence “Die Fruchtblase ist geplatzt.”)
  
• Wehen / Wehe / Wehen tropfen – Labor / Contractions / Hormone drip that gives you contractions.
• Mutterpass – Mother pass. Official document tracking your pregnancy.
• Ultraschall – Ultrasound. Also expect a Feindiagnostik – anatomy ultrasound
  
• Überweisungsschein – Referral)
• Krankenhausgeburt – Hospital birth
  
• Geburtshausgeburt – Delivery center. Something between home birth and hospital
  
• Hausgeburt – Home birth
  
• Kinderarzt – Pediatrician
• Frauenarzt – OBGYN
• Kreißsaal – Delivery hall
• Kaiserschnitt – Caesarean, C-section
• Hebamme – Midwife
• Krankenwagen – Ambulance
• Versicherungskarte – Insurance card
• Krankenkasse – Public insurance
• Kotzen – Vomit. “sich übergeben” if you’re polite
• Ätherische Öle – Essential oils
• Lachgas – Gas

More pregnancy vocab at the bottom here.

Do you have questions about having a baby in Germany? Let me know! I am sure there are things I haven’t considered yet.