Midwife search

There are many different ways to be accompanied and supported by a midwife before, during and after birth. In the delivery room of a hospital, a midwife will attend to you in any case. The term "midwife support" refers to the services provided by freelance midwives. You are free to decide whether and to what extent you would like to make use of midwife assistance. Services of midwife assistance are, for example:

• The prenatal care, which is also possible in alternation with the gynecologist
.
• A childbirth preparation course
.
• A course in pregnancy gymnastics
.
• The obstetric care, if you want what is called an attendant midwife to accompany you to the hospital or birth center, or if you are planning a home birth
.
• The aftercare and the accompaniment of mother and newborn in the postpartum period
.
• Valuable advice on breastfeeding and the care and support of the baby
.
• A postpartum recovery class approximately 6 to 8 weeks after the baby's birth
.
• Nutritional counseling for the baby if problems arise
.

Midwife care may include the following services:

Care during pregnancy

The midwife supports and advises expectant parents during pregnancy. If there is no risk pregnancy, the midwife can perform almost all the preventive examinations provided for in the maternity passport. She is an experienced advisor in case of pregnancy complaints. She can also help with decision-making when it comes to choosing the place and method of birth. Many freelance midwives have additional training and also offer childbirth preparation courses.

Support during and after birth

If the birth progresses normally, the midwife can manage the birth on her own responsibility. She monitors the baby's condition and helps the mother cope with labor pains and birth pain. If medical help is needed during the birth, she consults a doctor. Once the baby is born, she assesses the vital functions of the newborn. The midwife also takes care of the mother's initial care after birth and makes sure the baby is placed as early as possible to encourage breastfeeding.

Home visits and postpartum care

Up to 12 weeks after birth, the midwife is there for the mother and her baby. Once the mother is discharged from the hospital with her baby, the midwife makes regular home visits. She checks the postpartum flow and uterine involution, gives tips in case of postpartum contractions and discomfort during milk let-down. She helps the mother to breastfeed successfully. She takes care of the navel, observes the healthy development of the newborn and gives tips on infant care. Parents can always contact their midwife with their questions and concerns if they are unsure.

• Free-lance midwives work without a permanent position. They conduct childbirth preparation courses, accompany pregnant women during childbirth and care for mother, child and the young family during the postpartum period and breastfeeding. Many freelance midwives have additional training in alternative treatments.
• Clinical midwives are employed midwives who care for pregnant women during delivery in the delivery room. Working in shifts ensures that basically every clinic birth is attended by a midwife. For pre- and post-natal care, you should look for the accompaniment of a freelance midwife.
• Occupational midwives are freelance midwives who have signed a contract with one or more clinics to use the delivery rooms there for births. There are small clinics that work only with staff midwives and hospitals where staff midwives work alongside permanent midwives.

Some midwives are both freelance, for example in postpartum care, and employed at a clinic.

Depending on what you are looking for a midwife for, you can begin your search at different points in your pregnancy.

There are regional midwife centers in North Rhine-Westphalia, which are available to expectant parents as a coordination point. Here you will receive telephone advice on all areas of midwifery work and the referral of a midwife with free capacity near your home.

The advice and mediation are free of charge.

Feel free to contact a midwife center in your region:

Midwifery Network Bergisch Land

Midwife Center Bochum

Midwife Center Düsseldorf

Midwife Center Bielefeld/Gütersloh

Midwife Network Cologne

Münsterland Midwife Network

Midwife Center Rhein-Sieg-Bonn