Pregnancy and Childbirth in Germany

Luisenhospital (Queen Louise Hospital) in Aachen enjoys an exceptionally high reputation thanks to its efficient approach to organising treatment and medical support. The hospital has extensive experience in treating international patients. Excellent organisation, the prompt handling of every question that arises and a wide range of services — from hotel bookings to arranging interpreting support — have earned it an outstanding reputation among international patients. By choosing to be treated at Luisenhospital, you place your trust in advanced German medicine, in the qualifications of the hospital's specialists and, not least, in the quality of its services.

Luisenhospital in Aachen — at a glance:

• a modern multidisciplinary hospital with a comfortable inpatient unit and two VIP wards, including family rooms;

• innovative medical equipment and specialists of the highest qualification;

• English-speaking obstetrician-gynaecologists, anaesthetists and nursing staff;

• the highest standards of service and hygiene;

• an individual care programme for international patients;

• round-the-clock admission.

We offer maternity care in one of the oldest hospitals — Luisenhospital in Aachen (Germany), a city situated where the borders of three countries meet — Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands — not far from the international airports of Cologne/Bonn, Düsseldorf and Brussels. Aachen offers plenty of leisure opportunities and a huge choice of entertainment. Museums, fine-dining restaurants, concerts, a casino, the thermal baths of Emperor Charles Carolus Thermen, boutiques, outlets and the shops of the famous Aachen cosmetics brand Babor will help you to vary your leisure time and lift your spirits. The proximity of major cities such as Cologne, Düsseldorf, Brussels and Frankfurt provides convenient links to international airports and opens up excellent opportunities for tourism. Nearby tourist destinations include Brussels, Luxembourg, Amsterdam, Antwerp, Utrecht, Paris, Rouen, Bruges, Maastricht and Ghent. The mild climate, the calm and unhurried rhythm of a small medieval spa town, an excellent environment (there is no polluting industry in the town or the surrounding area), high-quality food and comfortable hotels and apartments will all have a beneficial effect on the emotional and psychological well-being of the expectant mother. Our experienced interpreters and managers will help to remove all the language and cultural barriers that sometimes worry young mothers. We provide transfer services, help you communicate with the doctors, nurses and hospital administration, find a midwife to visit the mother after discharge from hospital, deliver groceries, provide a personal driver, a carer and a cook, and deliver fresh fruit and vegetables from local farmers. We will also help you register your baby with your country's consulate in Germany. Luisenhospital in Aachen is a multidisciplinary hospital and a clinical and academic base of University Hospital Aachen, its cooperation partner in the management of complicated pregnancies, which has an ultra-modern neonatal intensive care unit to which all newborns with diagnosed conditions are referred. All departments of the hospital are regularly certified in accordance with international standards of quality management in healthcare. This means diagnostics and childbirth with impeccable adherence to diagnostic and treatment protocols and, at the same time, a strictly individual approach. It means respect for medical ethics and patient confidentiality, honesty and a human approach, kindness and a high level of professionalism.

The service package for childbirth includes everything you need, from the 36th week until discharge from hospital:

• an initial appointment and examination with an obstetrician-gynaecologist (professor) no later than the 36th week of pregnancy;

• an ultrasound scan appropriate to the trimester of pregnancy;

• laboratory tests;

• drawing up an individual plan for pregnancy care and delivery in line with the expectant mother's wishes;

• all medical check-ups from the 36th week of pregnancy (as a rule, once a week);

• functional examinations (CTG/ultrasound) as an inpatient during delivery (where medically indicated);

• a stay in a pre-delivery room / private delivery suite;

• hospital clothing for the whole stay (hospital gown, compression stockings);

• three or four meals a day (depending on the level of comfort of the room and ward chosen), light snacks and drinks;

• induction of labour where indicated;

• planned vaginal delivery or caesarean section (for urgent medical indications or planned);

• inpatient medical care for the newborn (vaginal birth - 4-5 days, caesarean section - 8-9 days);

• pain relief during labour, as well as the cost of anaesthesia for a caesarean section;

• hospital clothing for the whole stay (hospital gown, compression stockings);

• three or four meals a day (depending on the level of comfort of the room and ward chosen), light snacks and drinks;

• all necessary medicines and consumables;

• postnatal monitoring of the mother by doctors and midwives, including a consultation with an obstetrician-gynaecologist after the birth and at discharge;

• examination and monitoring of the newborn by a neonatologist (paediatrician), routine examinations of the baby (blood group determination, ultrasound of the internal organs, neonatal (heel-prick) screening on the third day after birth, hearing screening, laboratory tests, cranial ultrasound of the newborn);

• restorative physiotherapy for the mother;

• swaddling cloths, nappies and hygiene products for baby care;

• infant formula (baby food), vitamin D;

• help with establishing breastfeeding;

• a postnatal stay in a single or family room* with full board (up to 5-6 days);

• examination of the baby by a paediatrician before discharge.

If the parents wish, after the birth the baby can stay in the room with the mother or in the children's unit under the supervision of midwives, or the baby's time can be divided between the room and the neonatal unit. If the parents wish, after discharge from hospital a contract is concluded with a midwife in private practice, who visits the mother and the newborn at home. If additional diagnostic or treatment measures and procedures that are not covered by the package become necessary, their scope is agreed separately with the patient and paid for in accordance with the current state tariffs for medical services.

The cost of the package depends on the type of delivery:

The cost of the initial appointment and examination of the expectant mother — from 1000 € The cost of a vaginal delivery — from 7500 €

Total: from 8,500 €

The cost of the initial appointment and examination of the expectant mother — from 1000 € The cost of a planned or emergency caesarean section — from 9500 €

Total: from 10,500 €

Charged separately

• the service fee for organising the birth in Germany;

• an interpreter-coordinator;

• a midwife making home visits after discharge from hospital;

• a carer;

• a nanny;

• a cook;

• the purchase and delivery of medicines, groceries and other goods;

• a personal driver.

Diagnostics and perinatal screening in the obstetrics department of Luisenhospital

• state-of-the-art ultrasound scans, including 3D and 4D ultrasound;

• NIPT test (from the 9th to the 15th week of gestation);

• foetal MRI (where indicated);

• amniocentesis;

• chorionic villus sampling;

• cordocentesis — umbilical cord blood sampling;

• foetal cardiotocography (CTG);

• fetoscopy;

• laboratory diagnostics;

• wireless streaming of the baby's heartbeat;

• diagnosis of any particular features of the pregnancy.

Antenatal therapy

• prevention of premature birth;

• management of breech presentation of the foetus;

• treatment of all kinds of antenatal abnormalities;

• prevention of any risks associated with pregnancy.

Care during childbirth in Germany

• epidural anaesthesia during delivery;

• delivery in multiple pregnancies;

• delivery in breech presentation of the foetus;

• gentle caesarean section using the Misgav Ladach method;

• homeopathy, acupuncture and aromatherapy to support labour;

• relaxing baths to support labour;

• training in the correct breathing technique for childbirth in Germany;

• the option of choosing an individual position during labour (semi-reclining on a special bed, upright on a birthing stool or in water).

Room amenities

• a flat-screen television and a telephone with a personal number for every patient;

• free German and international television and radio channels (including English, Russian and Arabic);

• comfortable electrically adjustable beds;

• a safe;

• spacious wardrobes;

• a sitting area with armchairs and a table;

• a desk with a lamp and a safe for a laptop;

• a refrigerator;

• individually adjustable lighting in the room;

• free internet;

• a telephone;

• air conditioning (in the VIP wards only);

• a fully equipped bathroom with a shower;

• premium-quality terry towels;

• a set of shower and body-care products;

• a daily change of towels and bed linen;

• a hairdryer (in the VIP wards only)

• a terry bathrobe (in the VIP wards only);

• a lounge area with a coffee machine and a wide selection of teas;

• mineral water, juices, fruit, snacks and sweets.

Hospital amenities

• lifts with wheelchair-accessible controls, voice announcements and/or Braille markings;

• a lift for transporting patients lying down;

• 2 car parks (open-air and covered) for visitors and patients;

• barrier-free areas for wheelchair users and patients with reduced mobility (entrance, lift, accessible toilet);

• modern single and twin rooms;

• family rooms;

• 2 VIP wards;

• a cafeteria;

• a kiosk selling various goods and newspapers;

• a cash machine;

• help with accommodation for patients' relatives and loved ones;

• Protestant and Catholic chaplains;

• an interdenominational chapel at the hospital;

• a social work service;

• a pastoral care service;

• information events;

• patient self-help groups;

• volunteer services;

• lounge areas on every floor.

• appointments with an obstetrician-gynaecologist from the 36th week of pregnancy;
• a stay in a room in the delivery unit;
• delivery (vaginal birth, planned or emergency caesarean section);
• postnatal accommodation for mother and baby in a room for up to 5 days;
• inpatient care for the mother after the birth (examinations by an obstetrician-gynaecologist, laboratory tests, ultrasound, help with establishing lactation and caring for the baby);
• a daily examination of the baby by a neonatologist;
• routine examinations of the baby (blood group determination, ultrasound of the internal organs, neonatal screening, hearing screening, laboratory tests, cranial ultrasound);
• an appointment with an obstetrician-gynaecologist including an ultrasound scan after discharge from the maternity unit;
• all accessories and care products for mother and baby.