Postpartum midwife care (Hebammen-Nachsorge) in Germany: Your rights and what you are entitled to
Hebammen-Nachsorge is home-based postpartum care provided by a midwife for the mother and her newborn in the weeks after birth.
This service is one of the core pillars of family support in the German healthcare system.
First 10 days after birth:
The midwife may visit you every day at home.
From day 11 until the end of week 12 after birth:
Follow-up support is possible as needed, usually up to about 16 additional visits.
In special situations (e.g. premature birth, C-section, severe breastfeeding problems, postpartum depression):
The period of care can be extended with the approval of your health insurance.
| Area | Services provided by the midwife |
|---|---|
| Baby | Checking the umbilical cord and skin, weighing the baby, supporting breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, assessing crying and sleep |
| Mother | Monitoring recovery and wound healing (e.g. after C-section or perineal tear), supporting breastfeeding, advising on pain, early detection of postpartum depression |
| Nutrition | Advice on breastfeeding and formula feeding, pumping and storing breast milk |
| Guidance & support | Emotional support, answering questions, referring you to doctors, lactation consultants or therapists if necessary |
| General care | Showing you how to bathe your baby, change nappies, care for the skin, handle a newborn safely |
Both statutory health insurance (GKV) and private health insurance (PKV) normally cover the full costs of postpartum midwife care – without any co-payment, provided that:
the midwife is a registered and approved midwife (zugelassene Hebamme),
the services are properly billed to the health insurance,
you register with the midwife and your insurance early enough.
Start looking for a midwife early in pregnancy, ideally between week 12 and 20.
You can use platforms such as:
ammely.de
Conclude a written care agreement (Betreuungsvertrag) with the midwife.
Submit the midwife’s details to your health insurance if required.
In some areas there is a shortage of midwives. If you cannot find anyone despite trying:
Some health insurance funds cover digital or video-based consultations.
Certain cities offer alternative support through family centres or the local Gesundheitsamt (public health office).
It is worth asking your health insurer about special programmes in regions with a midwife shortage.
The editorial team of this website strives to provide accurate information based on thorough research and multiple sources. However, errors may occur or some details may be incomplete or not yet fully confirmed. The information in this article should therefore be regarded as an initial guide only. For binding and officially confirmed information, please always contact the relevant authorities and professional institutions.
