Checklist for Expecting Parents

Nov 9

This collection is purely informational and is subject to change. For additional information from the government in English, please take a look here.

Getting Started

Make an Appointment with your Gynaecologist:

The first appointment with your gynaecologist (Frauenarzt) usually takes place at around 6 weeks of pregnancy. They will determine your due date (Entbindungstermin or ET) and you will be given a booklet with all the information regarding your pregnancy (Mutterpass). It helps track your pregnancy and record all relevant information including test results and health information. It is meant to be carried with you at all times until your baby is born. Appointments generally take place every four weeks and become more frequent as your pregnancy progresses. You are also welcome to alternate appointments between your midwife (Hebamme) and gynaecologist. Ultrasounds take place with your gynaecologist at around 12, 20 and 32 weeks.

At one of your early gynaecologist (Frauenarzt) appointments, you can ask for a certificate confirming your pregnancy to confirm your due date to your employer.

Note: You are not required to disclose your pregnancy to your employer. However, you do receive maternity protection if your employer is aware of your pregnancy.

Find a Midwife in Germany

Look for a midwife for prenatal and postpartum care, whose costs are covered by health insurance. The midwife can perform examinations during pregnancy and will visit you in your home regularly after the birth, to help with baby care and breastfeeding.

For tips finding a midwife in Cologne, take a look here.

Find a Doula

A birth and postpartum doula supports families through the life-changing transition into parenthood. She provides continuous physical, emotional and educational support before, during and after birth. It is my goal as a doula to listen to your wishes to make your birth and postpartum experience the best it can be.

The continuous physical, emotional and informational support provided by Doulas has been proven to be one of the most risk-free and effective ways to create a more positive birth experience, increase likelihood of vaginal labor, and reduce the length of labor, reduce complications for baby at birth, and reduce the likelihood of a Cesarean.

It’s definitely worth looking into Doulas in your area, finding one with availability and who you feel comfortable with. This will help ensure you have an empowered pregnancy, birth and postpartum experience.

Inform Your Employer and Health Insurance

If you choose to, inform your employer about your pregnancy and expected delivery date by sharing a copy of your Mutterpass or showing the certificate from your gynaecologist. You will eventually be informed of the official date of your maternity leave (Mutterschutz), which starts 6 weeks before your due date.

Inform your health insurance of your pregnancy and due date. Your health insurance will require the evidence of your due date to pay you your maternity leave allowance (Mutterschutzgeld). This will most often be given to you by your gynaecologist about 7 weeks before your due date.

Note: From the beginning of pregnancy until four months after delivery, the termination of the employment is generally not possible under German law. (There are a few exceptions)

Start Thinking About Birth

Get information on your different options where you can give birth (see the section “Where to give birth?” below)

Sign up for a birth preparation course (Geburtsvorbereitung). Various hospitals, birthing centers and doulas offer courses. It is often difficult to find birth preparation courses in English. Luckily, I’ve got you covered! Feel free to check out my offer on birth preparation at home, as well as the group birth preparation courses I offer a few times a year. Find out more information here.

For non-married couples, it is necessary to complete a paternity recognition (Vaterschaftsanerkennung). This ensures the father is recognized and has rights. When giving birth, also bring this paternity recognition with you.

Elternzeit and Elterngeld

Make a plan about how you want to organise parental leave and allowance (Elternzeit and Elterngeld). The German system for parental leave offers a lot of flexibility, but some choices can be better financially. Therefore, it is good to learn about the system and decide what works best for your family.

For more information, visit the sites linked here:

Familienportal - Elterngeld Calculator
Elterngeld and Elterngeldplus
You may also visit the office for parental allowance (Elterngeldstelle) to receive further advice from professionals.

Kitas and Kinderärzte

Begin to research and contact potential day care centres (Kitas). It makes sense to do so early and already look for options during pregnancy, as spots are difficult to find.

Choose a paediatrician. The paediatrician will complete your child's examinations (Untersuchung) as they grow and be available to you whenever your child is sick. Additionally, if you want to have an Ambulante Geburt (more information below - “Where to give birth?”), you will need to have contacted the paediatrician before birth.

The Week Before Maternity Leave

Ask your gynaecologist for a certificate of calculated due date and submit it with your maternity leave allowance application to your health insurance.

Maternity Leave

(officially begins 6 weeks before due date until 8 weeks after birth)

During this time you are not allowed to work anymore.

Your full net salary is now covered by the maternity leave allowance (Mutterschutzgeld): normally paid by your health insurance and your employer.

Where to Give Birth

In Germany, you may choose to give birth in a hospital, in a birthing center (Geburtshaus) or at home. All the options are covered by health insurance. Depending on where you live, there may be some options which are more practical or not as practical for you.

Hospitals and clinics tend to be for couples who find comfort of being in the clinic, where they can offer epidurals and have emergency services readily available. Even in hospitals, there are birthing balls, birthing stools, dimmed lights and water births, to allow for a more natural approach to birth. The birth itself is supported by the midwives who work shifts in the hospital and doctors will get involved, only if necessary.

If you’d rather have a midwife that you choose to come with you to your birth, you may choose a Beleghebamme, who will follow you during pregnancy (covered by health insurance), birth (often at extra charge) and postnatal (covered by health insurance).

Additionally, Doulas also offer birth support in hospitals, and always meet you and build a relationship with you to offer the best support and fulfill your needs during birth.

Your stay at the hospital typically lasts three nights for vaginal birth and five nights for C-sections (all the costs for your stay are covered by your health insurance). Most hospitals offer family rooms at an extra charge, so your partner can stay overnight with you.

In case of an uncomplicated birth and healthy child and mother, you may also opt for an ambulante Geburt. In this case, you can leave the hospital after the baby had their first check-up by the paediatrician (Erstuntersuchung für das Baby U1), around 4 hours after birth. If you choose an ambulate Geburt, you must have already organised a visit with your paediatrician, who will come to your place to do the second check-up (U2), normally taking place 3 to 5 days after the birth.

Moreover, if you prefer to give birth to your baby in the comfort of your own home, it is necessary you find a midwife for a Hausgeburt. You are also welcome to hire a doula to support you during your birth at home. In the event of an emergency, you will immediately be transferred to a hospital.

A birthing center (Geburtshaus) is somewhere between the two options, providing a homely atmosphere managed by midwives. There are no emergency services on site, so in case of complications they will call an ambulance and have you transferred to the hospital. Generally, you are able to leave a few hours after giving birth. Since this is also an ambulante Geburt, it is essential that your paediatrician will be able to come to your place for the U2. If you choose to give birth in a Geburtshaus, you will be supported by the same midwife (or team of midwifes) during pregnancy, birth and postnatal without extra costs.

Note: if you decide to give birth with a Doula, in a Geburtshaus, or with a Beleghebamme, you should contact them very early (probably around 6 to 8 weeks pregnant, after the first appointment with the gynaecologist) to ensure they have availability during your due date.

You contact your Doula when you feel contractions beginning. Eventually, you contact your birthing place before leaving the house, or your midwife if you’re having a home birth. It’s time! Baby’s on their way!

After Birth

Congratulations! Baby’s here! Now there is plenty you can get done:

Apply for your child’s birth certificate (Geburtsurkunde) at the competent registry office (Standesamt). Multiple copies of the birth certificate (Geburtsurkunde) will be made available to you. There are also international birth certificates if you need them (often needed for passport applications). The birth certificate allows you to organise your child benefits and health insurance.
Register your child’s place of residence at the registry office (Einwohnermeldeamt).
Apply for family insurance (Familienversicherung) for your child.
Apply for child benefit (Kindergeld) at the office for families (Familienkasse)
If you are not German—Now would be the time to report your child’s birth abroad and passport for your child. You’ll have to contact your embassy to inquire which documents you need and where you can apply for a passport.
Apply for parental leave (Elternzeit). This must be applied for and received by your employer seven weeks before the start of parental leave. Therefore, mothers should submit the application within one week of the child’s birth. It is also possible to take parental leave with your partner. You both should decide together how to best organise the time after birth, before returning back to work.
Register for a pelvic floor recovery course (Rückbildungskurs). These costs are covered by the health insurance and are essential for the mother to re-strengthen her pelvic floor.

End of Maternity Leave, Start of Parental Leave or Return to Work

Mothers usually go back to work at the earliest around 6 months after giving birth. Many Kitas and Tagesmütter will only accept children over the age of one. It is common in Germany for mothers to stay that first year at home to take care of their baby. However, there are possibilities for parents to share parental leave and child care.

Within the First Three Months After Birth

Apply for parental allowance (Elterngeld). This is to be submitted to the parental benefit agency and can only paid for only three months retroactively. There is also ElterngeldPlus, which aims to support parents who work part-time after their baby’s birth.

Childcare in Germany

In Germany, school is mandatory from 6 years of age. Before this, there are several other options available to you for childcare:

• Tagesmutter: these are specifically designed for babies (available for children from 6 months or 1 year old, depending on the nursery) and for children up to three years. Prices vary. Generally, groups are smaller and there are one or two teachers. There is generally a 3 weeks acclimation period (Eingewöhnung) when the child starts and during which a parent is required to be available to help acclimate the child.

• Kindergarten (Kita): Kindergarten is for children between 3 and 6 years, and it is not a part of the regular public school system, therefore not mandatory. The main costs are now covered by the city. However, some additional costs may still be required to be paid by the parents, such as food. The size of Kindergartens vary, consisting normally of groups of 20 children with 2 to 3 teachers.

Click the following links if you are looking for a Tagesmutter or Kita in Cologne.