In this episode I talk to Jessica Strickmann, an on-call midwife, a Beleghebamme, working in Berlin Sankt Joseph hospital. She is the founder of the Erdmutter Kollektiv, a collective of on-call midwives offering prenatal care, birth care and postpartum care to families all over Berlin. She lives in Berlin with her three children. I was really excited to have Jessica agree to this interview, because she is nothing less than a rockstar in the pregnancy and birth world in Berlin.

I had to cut this interview in two parts as we had so many topics to discuss. In this second episode, listen as Jessica explains what a transfer from a home birth to hospital really look like and how she makes sure she’s always available when on call. Jessica will talk us through the details of her work like when should a couple get in touch to secure a spot with her, how much her services cost and what can you do to have the best care if you cannot get a Beleghebamme. Finally, she will reveal to us what she really thinks about doulas and how one can get involved politically to ensure as many parents as possible receive 1-to-1 care at birth.

Trigger warning Midwife care around miscarriages

Lets go…

39:11 What does a transfer from home to hospital really look like?

50:27 How does a Beleghebamme make sure she’s available when she’s on call?

56:52 When should a couple arrange for a Beleghebamme? When should you start looking for one?

59:57 until 1:04:25 Trigger warning Midwife care around miscarriages

01:05:00 How much does a Beleghebamme cost?

01:06:42 What can you if you are too late to get a Beleghebamme? What does Jessica think about doulas?

01:12:04 Why is there a lack of midwife and how can you politically engage to protect their status as well as empower the parents’ rights?

Since this episode, the Erdmutter team no longer exists but Jessica keeps on working as a Beleghebamme. If you want to check if Jessica can care for you during your pregnancy and birth, you need to contact her as soon as you get a positive pregnancy test, send them an sms to: 015735257512

If you want to get involved in or learn more about the work of Motherhood e.V. (click the name).

Resources and tips that Jessica mentioned:
Ina May Gaskin
Get help with paperwork and finding a midwife
Find a doula
Placenta encapsulation

List of the EPISODES

• Moving to Berlin as a family
  Interview with Emily Archer
  We are talking about moving to Berlin as a family with Emily Archer, a relocation consultant who has been assisting expats moving to Berlin since 2015. Berlin has become increasingly popular the last decade and Germany can be very bureaucratic. If you don’t know what to expect in advance, you may end up in a tricky situation unable to find either a school or a kindergarten or even a home. Emily will share her tips for moving to Berlin as a family.

• Ep5: everything you ever wanted to know about doulas
  Interview with Gem Kocher
  In this interview, I had the pleasure and privilege to interview Gem Kocher. We wanted to make a useful resource for all international families in Germany who may hear about doulas and wonder whether they would want one for their family. We tried to answer all the typical questions they and I get from our clients about doulas.

• Episode 004 - Interview with Jessica Strickmann - part 2
  In this episode Jessica will go into more detail about her work as a Beleghebamme.
  Listen as Jessica explains what a transfer from a home birth to hospital really look like and how she makes sure she’s always available when on call. Jessica will talk us through the details of her work like when should a couple get in touch to secure a spot with her, how much her services cost and what can you do to have the best care if you cannot get a Beleghebamme. Finally, she will reveal to us what she really thinks about doulas and how one can get involved politically to ensure as many parents as possible receive 1-to-1 care at birth.

• Episode 003: Interview with Jessica Strickmann, Beleghebamme in Berlin - part 1
  In this episode I talk to Jessica Strickmann, an on-call midwife, a Beleghebamme, working in Berlin Sankt Joseph hospital.
  She is the founder of the Erdmutter Kollektiv, a collective of on-call midwives offering prenatal care, birth care and postpartum care to families all over Berlin. She lives in Berlin with her three children. I was really excited to have Jessica agree to this interview, because she is nothing less than a rockstar in the pregnancy and birth world in Berlin. I had to cut this interview in two parts as we had so many topics to discuss. In this first episode, listen as Jessica explains the difference between a Beleghebamme and a “normal” midwife. She will also talk us through the pregnancy care the midwives offer as well as the relationship between midwives and gynecologists during pregnancy, and what you can do if they don’t get along. Jessica will explain the various options in terms of birth places when you have a Beleghebamme and how Covid changed the way parents want to give birth.

• Episode 002: The first steps of your pregnancy in Germany
  Are you an expat in Germany and just found out you are pregnant? Are you excited but a bit lost as to what to do now? Listen in...
  In this episode I go through topics like: - confirming your pregnancy - finding a midwife in Germany - what type of care do midwives offer - the various types of midwives in Germany - finding a gynecologist in Germany - where to give birth in Germany and how to register - what you may think you need to do but you don't - what to do if your work is too taxing during pregnancy

• Episode 001: Presentation of Elodie, the voice behind this podcast
  
  In this first episode I tell you a little about my experience as an expat mum in Germany and how it shaped my current career. I share why I decided to offer these services and what my goal is with my business and with the podcast. For anyone who’s never met or talked to me, start here.