Changes In Germany

Abstract

In Germany, childbirth education classes taught by non-midwives and classes offered to young parents after birth are no longer reimbursed by national health insurance. This has led to a dramatic drop in class attendance and numerous childbirth educators have lost their jobs. Worse yet, low income women do not have money to pay for any preparation or support groups during the antepartum and postpartum periods, a time of transition and adjustment.