Thinking of starting or expanding your family in Germany? Luckily the standard of German healthcare is very high and Germany has great maternity and paternity benefits, but there are some differences between having a baby in Germany v.s giving birth in South Africa that are good to be aware of upfront. Below gives an overview of what to expect for parents-to-be and what the process is. Health insurance The first step for any expectant mother should be to make sure that you are covered by German health insurance. Public health insurance provides comprehensive cover for expectant mothers, everything from check-ups to childbirth. If you have private health insurance, you should check with your provider to see what is covered. Prenatal care in Germany (Schwangerschaftsvorsorge) If you discover you’re pregnant, your first step should be to make an appointment with your gynaecologist (Frauenarzt). This appointment normally takes place around eight weeks after conception. If you are employed, you can request a confirmation of pregnancy (Schwangerschaftsbestätigung) to present to your employer. You should tell your boss about your pregnancy not later than three months after it is verified; So that he/she has enough time to find a substitute for you. Once you notify your employer of your pregnancy,  your Maternity Protection kicks in. At this point, your gynaecologist will also give you a document called a Mutterpass (mother’s passport). In the Mutterpass the doctor will note everything from your future appointments, tests, health information and due date, so you need to bring this document to any future appointments as well as to the hospital when you give birth. After this, you will attend 12 regular check-up appointments: one every four weeks until week 32 and then every two weeks thereafter. (more if you have a complicated pregnancy or become overdue, in which case the doctor might want to see you every second day.) . In addition to the normal scans which take place at nearly every gynaecologist visit, most people get an anatomy ultrasound (Feindiagnostik) or 3D scan. Your doctor should recommend a specialist around the 25th week for this. You will receive a referral and can usually make an appointment fairly quickly. This scan is a fascinating chance to see your baby in the flesh and diagnose serious issues. Near the end of the pregnancy, CTG (electronic fetal monitor, EFM) scans will be added. These external monitors measure Braxton-Hicks contractions and heart rate and take about an hour If you are employed, your employer is obliged to give you time off to attend these appointments. Routine care usually includes: Ultrasounds Urine analysis Blood pressure checks Weigh-ins Blood tests Pelvic exams Pregnant women in Germany also have the option of having a possible chromosomal disorder in their baby diagnosed via a non-invasive prenatal test (NIPT). For a NIPT, a blood sample from the pregnant woman is examined. Currently, it is being debated in parliament whether your health insurance should cover this test, but at the time of writing this, you have to pay for it yourself. A Schwangerschaftsdiabetes test (for gestational diabetes) is administered between 24 and 28 weeks. Though this only affects between 2 to 14 percent of pregnant women it can significantly complicate a pregnancy. The glucose tolerance test is simple. After some light fasting, you must drink a syrupy mixture (50g glucose in 200 ml water) and after an hour, a blood sample is taken to check your blood sugar level and see if your body has processed it appropriately. If the reading is too high (which happens 15 to 23 percent of the time) a similar three-hour test is administered. Most women don’t turn out to have gestational diabetes. And even if you do, it is simply a matter of management with most babies unaffected and the condition disappearing soon after birth. You will also be offered 2 toxoplasmosis tests during your pregnancy which currently is not covered by statutory health insurance. Helpful links: Pregnancy scans in Germany Struggling to fall pregnant. Struggling to fall pregnant and you have been trying for a year? If you are younger than 35, the costs for the investigations of the causes for your infertility will be covered 100 % by your health insurance. If you are above 35 then the time you have had to try to conceive naturally gets reduced to 6 months. There after what your health insurance cover for the actual treatment depends on the treatment, your marital status and the type of insurance you have.Read more on fertility treatment and cost here.  Choosing a hospital In Germany, you have three options for giving birth: In a hospital At a birthing house At home Some hospitals require you to book way in advance, even as early as 13 weeks into the pregnancy, while others only take registrations two months before your due date, so make sure to find out when you need to register at your preferred hospital to avoid disappointment or having to do paperwork between contractions. Most hospitals offer an information evening (Infoabend), during which prospective patients can have a look around the facilities, meet with the staff and ask questions. Some hospitals offer private family rooms at an additional cost (ranging from 60 euros p/n to 150 euros p/n if you prefer more privacy after the birth, while others have shared rooms. If you would like a family room it is best to book in advance. You will need your Mutterpass, your passport, and possibly a copy of your birth certificate (and marriage certificate if you are married) when doing the registration. Where you give birth is a very personal choice. Here are some pros and cons. 1. Hospital birth options: While delivery rooms are almost all equipped with the traditional hospital bed, many also have an alternative available to aid in more comfortable labour. Some delivery rooms has jacuzzi tubs for water births, king-sized beds allowing dads to take an active role in the delivery or birthing stools and chairs. Some hospitals also