What is an "Hebammenkreißsaal": Respected Birth Physiology in a Hospital Setting. The Best of Both worlds?
- Anne Matei
- Sep 30, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 2
What is a Hebammenkreißsaal?
A Hebammenkreißsaal is a midwife-led model of care within the hospital.
It usually looks like a separate delivery ward within a hospital. In this delivery ward, you are attended by midwives only, with a focus on 1-1 support and low interventions.
They usually follow you during the end of your pregnancy, through birth. It literally means Hebammen = midwives, Kreißsaal = delivery ward.
This model supports women to experience a natural and respected birth under the continuous care of midwives, while still having access to a hospital's medical facilities if needed - under the same roof.
Women are supported to birth in their own power, stay mobile, use natural comfort measures, and bond with their baby undisturbed...
Routine interventions such as continuous fetal monitoring (CTG), breaking water bags, inductions, use of synthetic oxytocin, early cord clamping etc are usually not performed.
International studies show that these midwife-led models are safe for women with low-risk pregnancies. The benefits of such model include
Lower risk of assisted vaginal birth (e.g., vacuum extraction)
Comparable cesarean section rates and fewer interventions (such as artificial rupture of membranes or episiotomy)
More positive birth experiences overall
In Germany, the research project GEscHIcK has confirmed that midwife-led delivery rooms provides safety for both mother and child when caring for healthy women with low-risk profiles.
No doctor is supervising the birth, only midwives, unless the midwives spot any signs that the mother or baby are at risk and an obstetric intervention is required. In this case, if complications arise, you can immediately be transferred (or sometimes you don't even need to change room), accessing all medical facilities and experts in the hospital's department.
NB: A Hebammenkreißsaal is not the same as a Geburtshaus, it's a designated delivery ward within a hospital where midwives provide the primary care.
If you are wondering what setting might be best for you : birth in a clinic (and choosing the right level of care), Hebammenkreißsaal, Beleghebamme, Geburtshaus, or home birth, I am supporting informed decision-making and explaining all these concepts here.
Where can I find a Hebammenkreißsaal in Berlin?
Here are the six clinics in Berlin offering a Hebammenkreißsaal:
On my map, you can see these when you filter for "midwife-led units"
Supporting Your Choice for an Unmedicated Birth, Flexibly!
In an Hebammenkreißsaal , strong pain medications such as epidurals or opioids are not used.
Instead, a wide range of alternative pain relief methods are available, including for example:
Acupuncture
Massages
Light muscular relaxant, analgesics like ibuprofen, homeopathy
etc.
Should you decide during labor that you want medical pain relief such as an epidural, it is (still) possible: this is the most common reason for transfer: while not an emergency, an epidural or opioids requires physician-led care.
Who Can Use the Hebammenkreißsaal?
Every woman without significant medical risk can give birth within the Hebammenkreißsaal. VBACs are usually possible in an Hebammenkreißsaal.
If a complication arises during pregnancy or labour you will be taken care of by the multidisciplinary hospital team (including obstetricians, paediatricians etc.)
Some of the eligibility criteria include:
No multiple pregnancy (no twins, triplets etc)
No insulin-dependent diabetes
No breech or transverse position for baby
No preeclampsia
No premature babies (before 37 weeks of pregnancy)
You can discuss on a case-by-case basis based on your wishes and medical history, what your possibilities are. For example a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) is not a strict counter indication and is often eligible for an Hebammenkreißsaal birth!
The Hebammenkreißsaal need to be quality-assured and to meet the standards of the German Midwives Association (Deutscher Hebammenverband e.V.).
Learn more: hebammenverband.de/hebammenkreisssaal
If you are not sure if you can be "eligible" for a Hebammenkreißsaal, simply contact the midwives there directly by email or phone, or meeting them during information evenings or 1-1 appointments.
How to register? Ready, Set, Go!
With the Hebammenkreißsaal, Berlin families gain opportunities to experience birth naturally, in line with their wishes and personal vision.
To find out more and register at an Hebammenkreißsaal, on my map, you can see the clinics offering, you will then find a link to each clinic to find out more about Info Abend (information evenings), and modalities for registrations (Geburtsanmeldung). Contact the team and talk about your desire to register for this model of Hebammenkreißsaal.
Spots get filled very early! Get in touch as soon as possible, even if you are still at the start of pregnancy!
If you want to register at the Hebammenkreißsaal, you will need to do a specific registration for this model, and meet the team for about 2 specific appointments:
first one is usually around 28-29 weeks to validate your eligibility (this may mean in some cases that you will get an ultra sound, or closer look at your medical history by a gynecologist to check your eligibility.) You will also be talking about pain management options (remember no epidural or opioids are available in the Hebammenkreisssaal)
second one is around 36-37 weeks of pregnancy
How a Doula Can Support You
As a trained doula, I support families throughout pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum.
Numerous studies have documented the benefits of having a doula present during labor.
It has been proven that having a doula decreases:
the overall cesarean rate by 50%
length of labor by 25%
use of oxytocin by 40%
and requests for an epidural by 60%.
(data from – American Pregnancy Association)
I offer a wide range of services, including presence at birth. I also offer online consultations to help you explore your options, understand the different birth settings, write your birth plan and make informed decisions that align with your values and wishes.
I can guide you in creating a personalized birth plan, provide continuous support during labor, and advocate for your preferences during birth.
My goal is to help you feel confident, informed, and supported every step of the way, ensuring your birth experience is as positive and empowering as possible.
Anne Matei is a birth and postpartum doula based in Berlin, supporting French-, English-, and German-speaking families. She accompanies births in hospitals, birth centers, and home births alongside midwives. Read what families say about working with her in client testimonials. Feel free to get in touch to schedule a non-binding introductory call.
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