Americans giving birth in Germany...?

Question

Has anyone ever delivered in a German hospital? I am delivering at Homburg University and was wondering if anyone had ever been through this experience or not and could share some of what I might expect as far as differences to American hospitals?

Answer 1

You can usually take a tour of the hospital and see the delivery room before you have the baby. That should give you a good idea of what to expect. I know that you don't just have to stay in your bed to deliver. You could have your baby standing if you would want to. But I would go to the hospital and find out there.

Answer 2

A lot of Germans go home with the baby on the day of the birth ...they don't expect to stay in for 4/5 days afterwards. You need to find a hospital that will let you stay in longer if you want that.

Answer 3

well, im german, been to the states, but never had to go to hospital over there. i know when youre expecting a baby, hospitals in germany offer you to take a close look at the hospital plenty of time ahead. so try to look at a couple of hospitals in your area. by the way, most hospitals are run by the community or city, some are private companies and some are church institutions. my experience was that those in which church is involved have a better service, the nurses (mostly nuns) are very friendly and show honest concern about every single patient. im no christian myself, and they dont ask for that, you might find a cross on the wall here and there and the nurses wear nun's outfits but thats about it. community hospitals are most times crowded and the service is ok, i usually would not go to a university hospital, there the patient is something like a labor rat. never been to a private hospital because my health insurance would barely pay for it. hope your health care is for sure? good luck and all the best for you and your hopefully healthy child :)

oh yeah - when you check out the hospitals, do not only check staff and service, also ask about how many single or double rooms are available, try to talk to the doctors specialized on births, and also ask for what different options are offered for delivery (bed, water tub, special chair etc.)