How to get your health insurance to pay for your postpartum support.

Why do I need postpartum support?

When a baby is born, so is a mother.

The Postpartum period (approximately 40 days after birth) is an extraordinary time - your body is recovering after pregnancy and birth, your hormones are rapidly changing to a pre-pregnant state and you suddenly have a little person to care for 24 hours a day - it can feel like a lot!

With many of our close family and childhood friends living far away, we need other support systems in place for this fragile time.

My belief is that if we mother the mother; cook for her, support her, listen to her, then she will have enough energy and strength to mother her own new baby, the best way she can.

What does postpartum support look like?

My postpartum all inclusive package will provide you with

• all the food you need for you and your family; freshly cooked, warm and delicious.

• an open ear with plenty of experience in this volitile time.

• I can keep an eye on silblings and keep them entertained whilst you and baby are napping.

• I can fold a load of laundry and perform simple household tasks.

• I can offer massage, ceremonies and a list of trusted referrals when it comes to advice on breastfeeding, sleeping, osteopathy etc.

• I am also available for overnight support, caring for your baby whilst you get the chance to sleep longer and deeper.

• I am the experienced mother/cousin/sister you wish lived next door.

What conditions do I need to have postpartum care paid for by my health insurance?

• Public Health Insurance (most private insurers do not pay for this) It doesn’t matter if you are the main insurance holder or have family insurance through your partner.

• You have a child under 12 years at home (either the newborn when it’s about after birth care, or an older sibling if claiming during pregnancy).

• No-one else in the household is able to do the housework (ie. no family member staying or partner is at work and not on Elternzeit).

How long can I have household help for?

It depends on

• how long your doctor can prescribe the help.

• how long the health insurance is willing to approve the support.

Most families are supported with an average of 3 hours a day, 3-4 times a week. Although more is of course an option in extraordinary situations.

Application Procedure

Before birth:

• Ask your health insurance for the form “Antrag auf Haushaltshilfe”

• Check with your gynecologist or regular doctor whether they would be inclined to support your application for household help. If they aren’t, find a doctor who is.

• Think about what services you would like and ask me about my availability.

After birth:

• Ask your doctor to fill in the form, provide my details and send it to the health insurance.

• The health insurance will decide whether they approve your application, change it (reduce the number of hours for example) or refuse it.

• Once the application has been approved, the I can start working with you.

• I will then invoice the health insurance directly.

Who can provide postpartum support?

• Postpartum Doula - me! Or another postpartum trained Doula near you.

• Mütterpflegerinnen - (Mother’s carers) are also trained in postpartum support. They work freelance or sometimes for a larger agency.

• Larger Agency - They provide household help via their employees. Most have trained for household help itself (cleaning, cooking and perhaps childcare) although they don’t train specifically in postpartum care. Sometimes the carer will change depending on the day and their shift schedule so ask about this beforehand.

Let me know if you have any questions or if you would like to apply for support, I can help walk you through the process.

With love and respect,

Laura xx