I have to say that this is exactly what I wanted. I've been threatening Jeremy for years with having our baby while sitting on his lap, and my parents even told me that they imagined me squatting and dropping the baby in a field somewhere (oh, if only we could get it together and rent that bit of land for growing vegetables...).
Anyway, in Germany, it is very easy to arrange for a relatively midwife-centered and not too pathological (meaning that having a baby is not seen as a disease) birth experience.
Here are the services offered by my Hebamme:
1. prenatal check-ups:
up to the 30th week- every 4 weeks
from the 30th-36th week- every 2 weeks
from the delivery date up to 10 days after the delivery date-- every 2-4 days
(After the 12th or 14th date after the delivery date, one goes to the hospital for more intensive attempts to start labor. However, this does not mean medical induction-- instead teas, exercises, massage, etc.)
These check-ups can be combined with my regular OB/GYN. That means once to the OB/GYN and 2 weeks later to the Hebamme then 2 weeks later to the OB/GYN.
She also offers acupuncture after the 36th week as a way to prepare the cervix.
2. She makes a detailed birth plan with us, which includes information on what exactly happens when labor starts, and with practical information like how close the contractions should be before we go to the hospital and what to watch out for- causes for concern.
3. She comes to the house 10-16 times over 4-8 weeks to help with taking care of me and the baby. She answers questions about breastfeeding, bathing, and whatever is confusing. She also conducts the baby's 3rd checkup (the first 2 are usually done in the hospital). She can come 2 more times to help with breastfeeding after the first 8 weeks have passed.
4. She can help us find a pediatrician that will be a good fit for our family.
All of these services are paid for by our health insurance except for the acupuncture, and that costs 10€ per visit.
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5 comments:
This sounds like something you would love! How many families does she work with at a time?
Wow
Oh, Mom that is a really good question! I should have talked to you before the meeting---
I do know that she is pretty busy and that she only takes on families that she feels comfortable helping-- she has to turn some people away.
And I forgot to mention that she started out as a nurse before becoming a Hebamme.
that sounds great! Soothing and accommodating. Almost the exact opposite of what I would imagine from a German health care professional... at least from what I've seen in movies. Does she cook and clean too?
Hmm, I don't think she cooks and cleans, although, if you've had a really rough birth, they send someone to help with that.
She's really very hippie-like. Wild, curly blond hair and a very direct manner (although maybe that is a more general German characteristic...).
I can totally see you imagining some scary East-German skinny woman with hair in a tight bun, barking orders at me-- right?
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