How to have a baby in Germany

Well, Ladies and Gentlemen, last night Jeremy and I went to the hospital birthing information session (ummm.... for the second time. We went in November already, but we were horribly late and had to stand in the back where I couldn't understand the German at all. Plus that is WAY too early). I am psyched to give birth here!

Things I like:

1. The Hebamme-midwife takes care of you almost the whole time. The doctor only comes in at the very end, unless there is a problem. If you are like me, and did not book your personal Hebamme in week 12 (!!), then you are provided with the Hebammes on staff.

2. They have a special room for early labor where you can nap and gather your strength. I think though, if we go there too early, we may just head home. It's only a 15 minutes walk away!

3. The birthing room has all kinds of equipment for different positions-- sitting up in the round bed, kneeling, sitting on a stool with the man behind you, leaning over a bar (and in the picture they showed, the man was giving the woman a massage with a rubber ball!), and one of those giant bouncy balls. Plus, there is a fabric hanging from the ceiling for leaning and pulling support AND a tub in a separate room for contraction relief and possible water birth. The lights can be dimmed.

4. the C-section rate is 20%, counting planned and emergency c-sections (for which they have an operating room on the birthing floor). The emergency c-section rate is 10%.

5. They leave you with the baby for the first hour or two after he is born for bonding, without taking him away to be weighed or washed (the weighing and washing also happens in the birthing room). You can also request that the baby not be washed at all (then you just rub the goop into the baby's skin. It's supposed to be very good for it).

6. You can be present for all of the baby's examinations.

7. In the few days after the baby is born, the baby can stay with you the whole time in the recovery room. The man can also stay with you, if there is extra room.

8. You also have the choice to leave the hospital the same day (!!), if everything is going fine. I think I will stay a day or so, just to take advantage of the services :)