Advice centers

As parents-to-be, you can turn to a pregnancy counseling center with all your questions, requests for information, doubts and worries. Even if you are in distress or your pregnancy triggers a crisis, you will find qualified contact persons with whom you can openly discuss your fears. The specially trained professionals will listen to you, give advice and can recommend very specific help and support services. The discussion offers are easily accessible and free of charge for you.

The counseling

• is done in person, either on-site, by phone or online.
• is confidential and remains anonymous if you do not wish to give your name.
• you can take advantage of as a couple or individually.
• is open to all: regardless of gender, origin, denomination and sexual orientation.

Every question is answered here competently and in a protected setting. The experienced counselors look for a good solution together with you, even in difficult situations. Topics of a consultation can be for example:

• Conception and contraceptives
.
• Family planning and sexual counseling
.
• Pregnancy progress and preventive care
• Birth and postpartum
• Preconception diagnosis and management of an abnormal finding
.
• Preparation for life with a sick or disabled child
.
• Unwanted pregnancy, conflict counseling and options for termination
.
• Opportunities for confidential birth, adoption, and foster care
• Unfulfilled desire for children and treatment options
.
• Family planning, partnership and role allocation
.
• Parenting, the first time with child, family life
.
• Partnership conflicts during pregnancy and after birth
.
• Single parenting at birth
• Domestic violence
• State benefits and financial assistance for families and children
.
• Assistance in applying for financial resources
.
• Occupational health and safety during pregnancy
.
• Legal issues

In North Rhine-Westphalia, there is a comprehensive network of pregnancy counseling centers operated by various sponsors. These include

• Arbeiterwohlfahrt AWO
• Caritas
• The Paritätische Wohlfahrtsverband
• Diakonisches Werk
• donum vitae
• Ecclesiastical sponsors
• Municipal sponsors
• pro familia

You can contact a counseling center of your choice in person, by phone or online.

Using the Counseling Center Finder on the portal familienplanung.de of the Federal Center for Health Education BZgA, you can find a local pregnancy counseling center with just a few clicks.