Anna has been living in Berlin for several years. Before pregnancy and childbirth, she had no experience with the German he alth service. What are the he alth protection standards across the western border? What tests are performed during pregnancy? Does Germany promote prenatal testing and natural births? Read what surprised her and what disappointed her?

It may sound strange, but even though I was in my thirties, I didn't feel that it was time to have a baby. I still had time, it seemed. Perhaps because I got married at the age of 33 and as a "fresh" married woman I still felt young. Besides, there was a big change in my life anyway - we went to Berlin, because the company we both work for opened itsbranch in Germany , and Grzegorz, my husband, became its boss. It was only when a few of my younger friends becamepregnantthat I realized that I am 38 years old and this is the last call for a baby. We started to apply for them. For several months I was doingpregnancy tests- and nothing. I started to worry. I did the test again on June 1, on Children's Day, in the morning. Again, he did not show any pregnancy. I threw it in the trash and disappointed returned to bed. My husband hugged me and began to comfort me. Then something hit me. I got up and took the test out of the trash. There were two dashes on it!

Prenatal tests in Germany are free of charge

A few days later I saw the doctor. I wasn't looking for a Polish gynecologist, I just went to the nearest office. I found a nice and kind doctor who studied in the Soviet Union. At first she tried to translate unfamiliar words into Russian, but I quickly mastered the German pregnancy vocabulary. I was referred for basic tests (blood type, HIV, infectious jaundice, rubella, chlamydia). They were all free, that is, under standard he alth insurance. As with all medical appointments. The doctor also informed me very early about the possibility of prenatal tests (also free of charge). It's standard in Germany. By the 12th week of pregnancy, I had to decide if I wanted to do the invasive ones. However, I didn't make up my mind because I knew that even if the baby had Down's syndrome (due to my age, the risk was high), I would give birth to it anyway. And I did not think about other flaws at all. To this day, I remember the doctor's amazement when she heard Fr.my decision. For her it was completely incomprehensible.

Modern pregnancy ultrasound

Ok. On the 22nd week of pregnancy, we were on the examination, which was something like a very detailed ultrasound (with the screen on the whole wall!). All internal organs, such as the heart with the chambers and atria, were clearly visible. Then we found out that it was a girl and that 90 percent. there are no serious diseases. Grzegorz was very moved, especially since Kasia's nose was completely the same shape as his own! Throughout my pregnancy I felt great and apart from nausea in the first trimester, nothing bothered me, not even heartburn or cravings. Oh, sorry: this was the only time that I called my husband and asked him to buy me bacon-flavored chips because I was really hungry for them. It was … the day before the birth!

In Germany, pregnant women enjoy excellent he althcare

Pregnant women in Germany have great care. The insurance covers not only visits and tests, but also many special activities, such as swimming, belly dancing and acupuncture. The waiting rooms and offices are full of free leaflets with information on where to find a doctor, midwife, and appropriate classes. Birthing school for women is also free. Only the partner pays if he wants to participate. We both attended school, but the school disappointed me a bit - there was not enough concrete information and too much meditation, visualization and similar "mysticism". But perhaps it is because the pregnant woman can obtain information and practical advice from her midwife. Three months before the birth, every pregnant woman covered by the insurance has a personal midwife who comes home to do basic tests (e.g. urine tests) and of course answer questions. She does not come to the birth, but after the delivery, she looks after the newly-minted mother for two more weeks. It is a great "invention", unknown in Poland. You can ask such a midwife about everything, she will show you how to change your baby's clothes, put it to the breast, bathe, cut her nails, etc. I chose a Polish woman. She helped me a lot by giving me loads of advice.

Childbirth in the company of relatives

It was obvious for me and Grzegorz from the very beginning that we are born together. Anyway, in Germany the presence of a father during childbirth is so natural that no one even asks about it. There, a woman giving birth is often accompanied by whole families, including teenagers! A few weeks before the birth, we entered the hospital. Each hospital organizes weekly meetings for future parents - the head of the hospital talks about the ward, answers questions, shows rooms. In the hospital of our choice, a maternity wardrecently moved to a new building so everything was new and clean. When signing up to the hospital, we also took care of all the formalities - thanks to this, we did not waste time on bureaucracy when the labor operation began.

Outstanding delivery room equipment

Throughout my pregnancy, I was set to give birth by caesarean section. I figured out that the first childbirth at this age was a sufficient indication for a caesarean. - Caesarean section? And for what reason? - the doctor was surprised when I mentioned it. And it was 3 weeks ahead of schedule! Well, beautiful - I thought - such a "respectable" age and no reduced fare! And childbirth was fast approaching. 3 days late, on the night of February 15/16, 2005, I woke up at two o'clock because I felt pain. I knew it was beginning. After an hour, the contractions were regular, albeit rare. I woke my husband up and we went to the hospital. We were immediately taken to the delivery room. The doctor on duty examined me, the future midwife and the apprentice introduced themselves. In the single delivery room there was a bathtub, bathroom, father's corner (chair and table), large balls …

Natural childbirth

Until the contractions were very painful, we walked down the hall, but then I didn't have the strength for it anymore. When the pain became unbearable, I asked for an epidural (it is reimbursed by the he alth insurance). Earlier, the midwife connected oxytocin, and the trainee asked if I wanted an enema (it is done only with the consent of the mother in labor). They were both very nice. The four of us had a nice chat during the anesthesia. When it stopped working, my midwife's shift was also over. She stayed another hour, but then had to go (she visited me the next day). She was replaced by a midwife who came from Poland, but I didn't care so much that I even spoke to her… in German. The contractions lasted over an hour. A doctor (from South America) came and he and the midwife were pressing on the stomach, and Kasia still wouldn't jump out. Finally they said we would try one last time and then they would have to use the "Zange" (forceps). It scared me so much that I mobilized my last strength and three minutes before 3 p.m. Kasia appeared in the world. Grzegorz cut the umbilical cord. A colleague had scared him earlier that the cutters were very blunt, so my husband put a lot of effort into it and it was done in no time. Grzegorz was with me all the time and I needed it very much. His mere presence, the fact that I could hold his hand, cheered me up. Kasia was placed on my chest, and then the midwife took her to measure and weigh. During this time, the doctor sewed the perineum a littleit broke (it was not incised, because apparently a small crack heals better). The midwife dressed Kasia and took some Polaroid photos of us. We got a card with a photo, Kasia's footprint and good wishes. Then everyone left and the three of us were left alone. After an hour we were taken to the postnatal room.

Luxurious and comfortable postnatal room

In the double room there were: a bathroom, a TV set, a table and chairs for guests, a changing corner with a supply of diapers, clothes, creams, rubbing alcohol … they do not bring them to the room) and for examinations. I never lost sight of her, although it was possible to ask the nurses to look after the baby. There was also a special nursing room where only mothers and a called nurse had access - with comfortable armchairs, footrests and croissant-shaped cushions that made feeding easy.

Perfect postpartum care

The next day, a physiotherapist came, who taught how to exercise the muscles of the perineum so that it quickly regained its shape. Bed linen was changed daily and even more frequently if necessary. Nurses came on every call and patiently put Kasia to her breast, because at the beginning I couldn't do it. Fathers could enter when they wanted and stay as long as they wanted. I asked my roommate if it was customary to give flowers to nurses or midwives. She, very surprised, replied that what they were doing was their duty and it was not customary to give anything. The day after we left the hospital (on Sunday!), My midwife visited us. Due to the lack of grandmothers and aunts, she was the only source of practical advice. An interesting fact is that Kasia only bathed in the bathtub after a week - that's how it is done here.

The hardest initial weeks after giving birth

My husband was at home for the first two weeks and he was helping me a lot. The midwife also came every day for two weeks. Unfortunately, soon Grzegorz returned to work (and he often works late), and I was left with Kasia completely alone and on my own. I felt lonely. I missed my mother, my sister - someone who would cheer me up, talk to me or take care of my baby for even an hour. It was the most difficult period. I endured the pregnancy very well, I had a long delivery, but I managed it, and then I felt lonely. My child and … the weather helped me regain my balance and peace. Kasia, as if feeling that it was difficult for her mother, did not cause any problems. She had colic maybe three times, slept beautifully at night and was not ill at all. And when it got warm outside, we spent most of the day outsidein the air: the little one was sleeping in a pram, and I was reading books. Today Kasia is two years and four months old. He has been attending a German kindergarten for several months (he is doing very well), and I have returned to work. If I had been younger, I would have decided to have a second child without hesitation, but I am afraid to challenge fate, because I am immensely grateful to him for Kasia …

monthly "M jak mama"

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Pregnant examinations