Mastering Pregnancy in Germany: Essential Tips for Expecting Parents #

Becoming a parent is one of the most exciting milestones in life and if you’re doing it in a different country, it can feel both thrilling and overwhelming. Luckily, Germany is one of the best places in the world to start or grow your family. From high-quality healthcare to strong parental benefits, expecting a baby here means you’re in good hands.

This guide walks you through everything you need to know from prenatal care and midwife services to birth preparation, bureaucracy, and German pregnancy customs.

What Prenatal care looks like in Germany #

Germany is known for its excellent prenatal care system. Whether you have public or private health insurance, you’ll receive full coverage for regular medical check-ups, ultrasounds, and support from midwives throughout pregnancy and after birth.

Pregnancy tests (Schwangerschaftstests) are easy to find in local drugstores like dm or Rossmann, pharmacies, or online costing between €3 and €15 depending on the brand.

Once your test is positive, book your first doctor’s appointment around week 8. If you don’t yet have a gynecologist (Frauenarzt or Gynäkologe), websites like Doctolib and Jameda make it simple to find one nearby, read reviews, and book online.

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What are prenatal check-ups: What to Expect #

Under Germany’s official Mutterschaftsrichtlinien (Motherhood Guidelines), every pregnant woman is entitled to 10–12 check-ups, fully covered by insurance.

• Appointments are usually every 4 weeks, then every 2 weeks after week 32.
• After your due date, check-ups happen every 2 days.

These visits include:

• Blood and urine tests
• Blood pressure and weight checks
• Monitoring fetal heartbeat and growth
• Checking baby’s position and uterus size
• Three standard ultrasounds (around months 3, 6, and 8)

If your pregnancy is considered high-risk, you’ll get additional ultrasounds and tests all covered by insurance. Around weeks 22–24, your doctor will also perform a glucose test to rule out gestational diabetes.

All test results are recorded in your Mutterpass (Mother’s Passport), a small blue booklet you should always carry. It contains essential pregnancy information that doctors or emergency staff might need.

Optional Extras (IGeL Services) #

You can also choose optional tests such as toxoplasmosis or streptococcus screenings, or even prenatal acupuncture. These are called Individuelle Gesundheitsleistungen (IGeL) and if you have public insurance, you’ll need to pay for them (usually €10–€60). Some private plans include them.

Tip: Review your vaccination record early with your doctor. Diseases like chickenpox can cause complications during pregnancy, so make sure you’re protected.

Prenatal Diagnostic Testing #

Diagnostic tests like first-trimester screening (to detect chromosome disorders) are not standard in Germany unless you’re considered high-risk. However, you can still request them privately. These screenings are usually done around week 12 and cost between €150 and €250.

How do Pregnancy conflicts and likely Abortions works in Germany? #

If you’re facing a difficult pregnancy decision, confidential help is available.

Pro Familia (Germany’s equivalent of Planned Parenthood) offers counseling in English and other languages. The Federal Center for Health Education (BZgA) also lists over 1,500 counseling centers across the country.

While abortion is technically illegal under German law, it is not punishable within the first 12 weeks if you complete a required counseling session at a certified center. After counseling, you’ll receive a Beratungsschein (certificate), which allows you to proceed with the procedure legally.

Abortions later than 12 weeks are only permitted if the mother’s life is in danger or if the fetus has a severe medical condition.

How do you find a Midwife in Germany? #

Every pregnant woman in Germany has the right to midwife support during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum recovery. Midwives (Hebammen) are experts in pregnancy care and can handle most check-ups except ultrasounds.

Because midwives are in high demand and their numbers have declined in recent years, start searching as early as possible ideally right after finding out you’re pregnant.

Where to Look #

• Ammely (created by the German Midwifery Association) – the largest midwife database in Germany, available in English.
• Search “Hebammenzentrale + your city” to find local midwife networks. For instance
• Ask your doctor, friends, or local hospitals for recommendations.

Midwife services are usually divided into:

1. Prenatal care
2. Birth assistance
3. Postnatal care (home visits)

If you can’t find one midwife for all three stages, you can hire two and your insurance will cover both, except for a small introduction fee (€30–€80).

How to Find a Birth Preparation Course (Geburtsvorbereitungskurse) in Germany #

Birth preparation courses are an excellent way to learn about labor, breathing, and newborn care. Courses can be taken in-person or online. Insurance covers the mother’s participation if the class is taught by a certified midwife. Partners usually pay a small fee.

You’ll find both German and English courses though English ones are limited. Examples include:

• Berlin: Fokus Leben
• Frankfurt: Familien-Gesundheitszentrum
• Hamburg: Hebamme Viktoria
• Munich: Pippagina

If there’s nothing nearby, check Kinderheldin, which offers online classes in both languages.

Where can expecting Mothers give birth in Germany? #

Around 95% of births in Germany happen in hospitals. You’re free to choose any hospital, not just the closest one. Look for one with a Kreißsaal (delivery ward). If your pregnancy is high-risk, consider hospitals with a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

Most hospitals offer tours for expecting parents check their websites or call to confirm availability. Pre-registering after week 34 helps ensure a smoother process when labor starts.

Alternatives: #

• Birthing Centers (Geburtshäuser) – cozy, home-like environments led by midwives, ideal for low-risk pregnancies.
• Home Births (Hausgeburt) – possible if your pregnancy is low-risk and supported by a qualified midwife.

Tip: Always have a backup hospital in mind in case your chosen facility is full.

What are the Maternity rights and Family benefits In Germany? #

Germany offers generous maternity and parental benefits including paid leave, job protection, and financial support. Tell your employer and health insurance about your pregnancy (usually after week 12) and submit a medical confirmation from your gynecologist.

Key programs include:

• Mutterschutz (Maternity Leave)
• Elternzeit (Parental Leave)
• Elterngeld (Parental Allowance)
• Kindergeld (Child Benefit)

Even though you can only apply for Elterngeld and Kindergeld after the baby is born, start preparing documents early applications can be confusing and time-consuming.

Bureaucratic steps after Child Birth #

Once your baby arrives, a few official steps follow:

1. Register Your Baby #

You’ll need:

• Passports/IDs of both parents
• Birth and marriage certificates (translated if necessary)
• Declaration of your baby’s name

If you’re unmarried and want both parents listed, visit the Jugendamt (Youth Office) to declare paternity (Vaterschaft) and custody (Sorgerecht).

2. Arrange Childcare #

Spaces in Kitas (nurseries) are limited, so start your search early ideally during pregnancy.

3. Choose a Pediatrician #

Babies in Germany go through mandatory U-Untersuchungen (developmental check-ups). Schedule your baby’s first appointment within the first few weeks.

4. Inform Your Landlord (if required) #

If your utilities are billed per person, you’ll need to inform your landlord about the new household member.

5. Set Up Baby Insurance #

You can only register your newborn for health insurance after birth, but researching your options ahead of time is smart.

German Pregnancy Customs #

Pregnancy in Germany tends to be more private and low-key than in some cultures. Most parents wait until after week 12 to share the news. Baby showers and gender reveal parties aren’t common many believe buying gifts before the baby’s birth brings bad luck. Instead, friends and family celebrate after the baby’s arrival with small gifts or Windeltorten (diaper cakes).

How to choose your baby name in Germany? #

German name law (Namensrecht) allows creativity but has a few rules:

• Must be clearly a first name
• Cannot be offensive or nonsensical
• Limit of five given names

Names like Gucci, Superman, or Lord are not allowed. Your Standesamt (registry office) makes the final decision.

German children can only have one last name, even if parents have double surnames. However, this rule applies mainly to German citizens international couples can follow their home country’s naming laws. For inspiration, try Vorname.com a database explaining name meanings and origins.

Where can you buy Baby and Maternity essentials in Germany? #

Getting ready for your baby can be so much fun!
Germany offers excellent options both online and in-store:

• BabyWalz and Babymarkt – all-round baby stores
• C&A, H&M, Zara – maternity and baby clothing
• Vinted and eBay Kleinanzeigen great for second-hand finds

Don’t forget to join the dm Glückskind or Rossmann Babywelt programs they send you free samples, coupons, and guides tailored to your baby’s age.

Final Thoughts #

Pregnancy in Germany may come with paperwork and planning, but it’s also one of the safest, most supported experiences you can have. To make it easier, keep this simple roadmap in mind:

1. Confirm your pregnancy and register with a gynecologist
2. Find a midwife early
3. Book a birth preparation course
4. Choose your hospital or birth setting
5. Prepare your paperwork before week 34
6. Enjoy the journey and let Germany’s excellent healthcare system take care of the rest.