Being an expat in Germany comes with its own set of challenges, and when you're expecting a child, the complexity of navigating a new healthcare system and preparing for childbirth can be daunting. If you're not proficient in the German language, these challenges can become even more pronounced. However, with proper preparation and guidance, your pregnancy journey in Berlin can be made smoother and more manageable. This article will provide you with valuable steps and tips to ensure you have a stress-free experience during childbirth as an expat in Berlin.

Find a Gynecologist and Make an Appointment

:Your first step when you discover you're pregnant should be to find a gynecologist (Gynocologist in the article) and make an appointment. If you're already registered with a gynecologist, you're at an advantage. Simply contact them to inform them of your pregnancy and schedule an appointment, preferably within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, ideally around the 6-7th week. For those without a previous gynecologist, start your search as soon as you know you're pregnant. Appointments can be hard to come by in Germany, and it's not uncommon to wait several months. To find a gynecologist, you can use online resources like Doctolib, the website of KV Berlin (Berlin's Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians), and other relevant platforms. When selecting a gynecologist, consider their location, language proficiency (many speak English), and the ability of their staff to communicate in English. After your first appointment, the doctor will usually schedule subsequent appointments. Expect to visit your doctor at least once a month until the last trimester, when appointments become more frequent.

:After your first gynecologist appointment and ensuring everything is on track, the next step is to find a midwife. This task can be challenging in Berlin, as there's a high demand for midwives, and they may be in short supply. Begin your search for a midwife as soon as you know your due date, typically by using online resources and filtering results based on your area and language preferences. Keep in mind that midwives are often area-specific and not all speak English, so choose one that matches your location and language needs. Some platforms allow you to apply for a midwife directly through their site, while others only provide contact details. Reach out to midwives through the provided contact information, and be sure to have a template email ready, including your due date, a brief introduction, the languages you speak, and your address. In case you can't secure an online appointment, don't be discouraged; call shortlisted midwives and explain your situation. You might get lucky, as appointments may open up. Additionally, you can inquire with your insurance provider about assistance in finding a midwife. After selecting a midwife, they will send you a contract, and the costs will typically be covered by your insurance, with additional services, if needed, being communicated by the midwife.

:It's important to select a hospital for childbirth that aligns with your preferences and needs. Consider the location, staff proficiency in English, and facilities for intensive care for your baby, if necessary. The general rule of thumb is to choose a hospital within a 15-20 minute drive from your home. However, other factors such as the hospital's reputation, birthing facilities, and personal recommendations from friends who have given birth in Berlin should also be taken into account. Most hospitals open registration for childbirth around the 20th week of pregnancy. Research hospital facilities, read Google reviews, and gather insights from friends who've experienced childbirth in Berlin.

:Setting up a nursery for your baby is an exciting aspect of preparing for childbirth. Many stores and online platforms offer baby nursery items. IKEA, for example, provides affordable options for baby furniture like cribs and changing tables. Additionally, consider buying gently used baby items, as many parents sell baby gear at a fraction of the cost after their own children outgrow them.

:As an expecting parent, you'll need to decide on essential items for your baby, including clothes and other necessities. Consult with friends who've recently had children for insights into which items are most useful. Also, take into account the season your baby will be born in, as this will affect the number and type of clothing layers you'll need. Online retailers, local stores, and platforms like Amazon are great places to shop for baby items.

:Once you've selected a hospital for childbirth, you'll need to register there. The hospital's website will provide information about the registration process. If the process isn't outlined online, contact the hospital directly by phone or email to inquire about registration requirements. You will typically need to provide documents such as a letter from your gynecologist and your insurance card.

:After registering with the hospital, you'll receive an appointment for an in-person registration. During this visit, you will need to bring certain documents, including your insurance card, Mutterpass (a pregnancy record document), a letter from your gynecologist detailing your due date, and other health-related information. At the hospital, you may also receive information about the birthing process, potential medical procedures, and a consent form for any necessary interventions during childbirth.

:Participating in a birth preparation course is highly recommended, especially if you are a first-time parent. Several options for English birth preparation courses are available in Berlin, including online and live classes. These courses cover essential information about childbirth and newborn care. Research and choose a course that best suits your schedule and learning preferences. It's advisable to join such a course around the 25th week of pregnancy to ensure the information is fresh in your mind during labor.

:It's crucial to have your hospital bag prepared by the 36th week of pregnancy. German hospitals usually provide many of the items you and your baby will need during your stay, but you should pack comfortable clothes for yourself, undergarments, personal toiletries, and a take-home outfit for your baby. You can find sample lists of items you may need online to ensure you're fully prepared.

Find a Pregnancy Photo Shoot Photographer

:If you'd like to capture the beauty of your pregnancy, consider scheduling a pregnancy photoshoot. These can be done when you're around 30 weeks pregnant when your baby bump is most pronounced. Start looking for a photographer early, around the 20-week mark, and discuss your preferences and style for the shoot.

:After your baby is born, you may want to arrange a newborn photoshoot. Plan for this in advance, as you'll want to have the session during the first few weeks of your baby's life. Explore different photographers and make preliminary arrangements before your baby arrives.

:Prenatal yoga is an excellent way to stay healthy and active during pregnancy. Various classes are available in Berlin, with both online and in-person options. Keep in mind that these classes are not typically covered by health insurance.

How to Prepare for Childbirth as an Expat in Berlin, Germany

 as of this writing. Berlin is the capital of Germany. After Brexit, Berlin became the biggest tech center in Europe. 1000s of new opportunities are created daily for tech-related jobs here in Berlin. From Meta and Amazon, there are a lot of tech companies out there here.

Software engineering in Germany is driven mainly by new technologies and practices. Generally, companies don’t have many QA engineers, so the quality of the output solely lies with the engineer who builds it. As per my understanding, the most popular programming languages are Java, JavaScript, and Go, and knowing Kotlin, Scala, or Typescript on top of these might help.

German is the main language in Germany, but as Berlin is a multicultural city you can 

. Berlin has a welcoming atmosphere and the community here is open and inclusive. Berlin has a rich history which you can spend time with. There are a lot of parks you can take an evening stroll. 

. Berlin is a hotspot food scene & partying hard (Really, they have 36-hour-long parties). It is nice for families as well because 

As I can see, there are two ways for you to get hired and move to Berlin.

Directly apply for the job postings you like

one-time lump-sum payments to fully assisted relocation support with a relocation agent

. These relocation packages are made to ease the pressure of moving to a new country. In most scenarios, companies are 

relocation budgets vary from 2.500 euros to 10.000 euros

Another important factor to consider is the salary. For Visa reasons, you should 

If you are in tech and if you’re planning a move to Berlin (or any other German city such as Munich or Cologne), the following can be helpful in securing an interview.

Linkedin is going to be the medium for you to make the first contact with your future employer in Germany. Make sure you have cleaned up your Linkedin and that it is up to date. Add the necessary skills you have to your LinkedIn Skills section. Get your skills endorsed to help the LinkedIn algorithm to present you as a candidate to recruiters.

These are not necessary but they are sure to be a fun experience. This is what LinkedIn has to say about it.

“It’s not mandatory for you to take the assessment. However, taking the assessment will help you stand out by showcasing that you have the desired skills of an ideal candidate, as well as increase your chances of getting noticed by other recruiters.”

Follow German tech companies on LinkedIn. You will be automatically notified if they post any job postings on LinkedIn

Building connections is necessary on LinkedIn. Add recruiters and HR people from companies you like for better reachability.

In your profile, you have the option to make yourself open to working. LinkedIn says if you make yourself available it will try to make it invisible to the current company you’re employed. You can edit your job preferences from there. It will look like following

By now your LinkedIn profile is good to go.
As mentioned earlier there are 2 ways for you to apply for a job. But at this point in time, LinkedIn lacks filtering job opportunities with relocation support 

. The only way to get around it is to go through the entire job posting to see if they give relocation support. That is where recruiters come in.
Since they are reaching out to you instead of the other way around, you’re bound to get a good deal. Technical recruiters may apply for one or multiple companies on your behalf. Be prepared, 

some technical recruiters may ask a few technical questions.

. When making your CV follow the general guidelines. When describing the projects you did, use 

. It says you achieved X which is measured by Y by applying Z. An example of this would be


“Reduced production incidents by 50% QoQ by analyzing 10 root causes out of 30 production incidents in Q3. More information on this can be found below”

https://www.inc.com/bill-murphy-jr/google-recruiters-say-these-5-resume-tips-including-x-y-z-formula-will-improve-your-odds-of-getting-hired-at-google.html


It is important to spend some time improving your CV. After all, 

your CV is the one that does the talking.

By this point, you’re ready to make first contact with potential employers. If you haven’t received any messages from recruiters yet it is time for you to make the first move.

At this point, you have 2 options
1. Reach out to connections who are working in companies in Berlin
2. Directly applying from the careers pages of companies

. And for you, don’t be shy to reach out to a friend or a connection, as an internal referral most of the time pays the referrer for the successful referral.

This has already gone longer than I expected, so I will stop here and will do a follow-up writing on addressing how interviews are performed here and about the Visa process.

Your ticket to Berlin as a Software Engineer — Part 1

Relocate to Germany is the #1(will be soon) resource to help expats to relocate to Germany for employment smoothly! 

You will find tips & information in English about living in Germany as an expat and learn what services are best to use to beat bureaucracy.

We cover everything related to employment in a German-based company. This includes job searching for relocating to Germany, living in Germany & integrating into Germany. You can find many articles dedicated to this end. 

We are an expat community who have recently moved to Germany. We love to help everyone who wishes to move to Germany through this platform. And if you are already in Germany, don't worry the resources here can help you as well.

Make moving to Germany for employment as much as possible through the resources we provide on this website.

We plan and research heavily before creating content. More often than not the content available here is based on our own personal experiences living in Germany as expats. We try to keep our content as neutral and well-researched as possible.

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How to Prepare for Childbirth as an Expat in Berlin, Germany

Your ticket to Berlin as a Software Engineer — Part 1

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How to Prepare for Childbirth as an Expat in Berlin, Germany

Your ticket to Berlin as a Software Engineer — Part 1

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