Where do I give birth to my child?
The diversity of births
If a pregnancy is normal, i.e. physiologically without risks, all options are available: Clinic, birth center or home birth.
Maternity clinic
- Helios Clinic Salzgitter
Birth center
- Hanover
Home birth
- More information at "Where can I find a midwife"
If a pregnancy is fraught with risks, the only option is to give birth in a clinic. In the case of clinics, a distinction can be made between a pure maternity clinic and a clinic with an attached children's clinic. The latter has the advantage that the best possible care is available on site if the child has difficulties at the start.
The choice of which clinic or birth center is ultimately chosen is a matter of personal decision, and individual discussions and on-site visits (e.g. information evenings) contribute to the decision-making process. Questions here can include How many midwives are there locally? What options are there for delivering a child? What pain relief is available during the birth? Midwife-led or doctor-led delivery room?
What do we need in the postpartum period?
The puerperium
Develop an awareness of your own well-being and individual sources of strength. Dare to prioritize your own needs, for example after leaving the clinic: arrive home in peace and quiet and don't receive too many visitors. Make sure you eat and drink a balanced diet.
From a purely material point of view, think of these things: nursing bra, nursing pad, possibly painkillers, nursing pads, nipple cream, possibly nursing caps. For the baby: possibly wound protection cream, healing wool, caraway suppositories, heat cushion (spelt core cushion).
If you have any further questions, please contact your midwife or doctor.
What do we need after the birth?
Be sensitive to yourself; all your feelings are okay.
Give yourself and your baby plenty of rest and time to get to know each other.
Your child needs a lot of closeness now. Hold and caress it, take time to build up a bond with your child. The first latch-on to the breast is particularly important for your baby. You can allow the first suck at the breast, regardless of whether you want to or can breastfeed.
You can find more information at (link to download area U1 brochure)
You can find more information here:
How do I register my baby and get a birth certificate?
After the birth of your child, the hospital will send a birth announcement to the registry office. Both parents must sign the notification of birth and decide on a name.
Contact registry office see below!
What must be considered when choosing a first name?
The child's first name is determined by the parents. The name must not be contrary to the child's best interests. If you are not sure whether the name you have chosen can be registered for your child, please ask at the registry office.
How do I obtain a birth certificate? What documents must be submitted for the certification?
The jurisdiction of a registry office depends on the place where your child is born. To ensure that the birth certificate can be issued at the registry office without delay, the following documents are required in addition to the completed birth notification:
If the parents are married:
- Identity cards or passports of both parents
- Family register or marriage certificate
- Birth certificate of both parents
- If married abroad, additionally: marriage certificate with German translation and birth certificate of the parents
- Certificate of name change (for ethnic German immigrants)
For parents who are not married to each other:
- Identity card or passport of the mother
- Birth certificate of the mother
- Recognition of paternity (if available), birth certificate and identity card/passport of the father
- Certificate of declaration of joint custody (if available)
- Declaration on the granting of a name if the child is to bear the father's name and you have not made a joint declaration of custody
- if the mother is divorced, marriage certificate with annulment note or marriage certificate and divorce decree
Certificate of name change (for ethnic German immigrants)
For foreign parents:
- Family register or marriage certificate with notarized translation
Passports of both parents
Residence permit of both parents, if available (except EU citizens)
How much does the birth certificate cost?
An appointment must be made at the registry office to collect the certificates. The certification of the birth is generally free of charge. Costs are incurred for issuing the birth certificate (one certificate costs EUR 15, each additional identical certificate costs EUR 7.50). You will also receive three birth certificates free of charge, but these are only valid for the purpose stated on the certificate.
- Applying for pregnancy and maternity assistance from the health insurance fund
- Applying for child benefit
- Applying for parental allowance
The fee can be paid on collection. The BürgerCenter (registration office) receives notification of the birth of your child from the registry office. This completes the registration.
How do I get the tax identification number for my child?
You will receive the tax identification number for your child automatically by post from the Federal Central Tax Office after the birth has been certified. It is not necessary to apply for one.
What surname will my child be given?
If the parents are married and have a married name, the child will be given the married name as the surname. If the parents are married but do not have a married name, or if the parents are not married to each other and have declared joint custody, they must jointly choose one of their surnames as the child's surname, which will then also apply to any other children they have together.
If the parents are not married and the mother has sole custody, the child will be given the mother's surname. However, she can also give the child his surname with the father's consent (declaration on the granting of a name).
If one or both parents are foreign nationals, the child may be given a different name. Please enquire about this at the registry office before the birth.
Contact us
What is the baby greeting?
All families with a newborn in Salzgitter receive a visit from a volunteer “baby greeter.” This volunteer will bring you a thoughtful folder containing important information for your child’s first years of life, as well as small gifts for your baby.
The Baby Welcome program is free of charge. You do not need to apply for it. Before the visit, you will automatically receive a card in the mail with the appointment date and the name of a contact person. The volunteer will then visit you at home and personally present you with the information folder.
If you have any questions about the Baby Welcome program or would like to become a Baby Welcomer yourself, please feel free to contact the Baby Welcome coordinator at Family Services.
Location
Familienservice
Kurt-Schumacher-Ring 4
38228 Salzgitter