How do you find a midwife and register with her early?

How to find a Hebamme (midwife) in Germany

1. Start your search early – from the 6th week of pregnancy!

As soon as your pregnancy is confirmed and you receive your Mutterpass (maternity record booklet), you should start looking for a midwife immediately.
The longer you wait, the fewer options you will have, especially in big cities where demand is high.

2. Ways to find a midwife:

a) Specialized online platforms:

• www.hebammensuche.de

• www.ammely.de

• www.hebammenverband.de

These websites allow you to:

• enter your postal code (PLZ)

• see midwives working in your area

• check which services they offer (antenatal care, birth support, postpartum care)

b) Ask your gynecologist’s practice (Frauenärztin/Frauenarzt):

Many gynecological practices keep a list of trusted midwives nearby and can recommend someone.

c) Ask in mothers’ groups on Facebook or WhatsApp:

For example:

• “Mütter in [city name]”

• “Schwangerschaft & Geburt – Tipps & Austausch”

Mothers there often share recommendations, experiences and contact details of midwives.

d) Ask the hospital where you plan to give birth (Geburtsklinik):

The hospital may:

• work directly with certain midwives, or

• have its own midwifery team and provide contact information.

3. What to ask when contacting a midwife

When you call or write a midwife, it’s helpful to clarify:

• Does she provide care during pregnancy, or only postpartum/after-birth care (Wochenbett)?

• Are her services covered by your health insurance (statutory or private)?

• Does she offer home visits after the birth?

• Does she speak your language (German, English, Arabic, etc.)?

• Does she offer a birth preparation course (Geburtsvorbereitungskurs)?

4. Registration and confirmation

Once you have found a suitable midwife:

• sign a care contract (Betreuungsvertrag) with her that defines the period and type of care

• send her a copy of your Mutterpass so she can understand your pregnancy situation

• save her phone number somewhere visible and easy to reach, especially towards the end of pregnancy and in the early postpartum period

Important note:

Many midwives are extremely busy, so it can happen that you do not find someone right away.
Don’t give up – keep searching via different channels (online portals, clinics, groups, doctors).
And even if you cannot find a midwife for antenatal care, you may still find one who is available for postpartum/early baby period only.

The editorial team of this website strives to provide accurate information based on extensive research and multiple sources. However, errors may occur or some information may be incomplete or not fully confirmed. Therefore, please treat the information in our articles as an initial reference only, and always consult the relevant authorities and professionals for binding and up-to-date information.