A midwife can be an incredibly valuable companion during pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period. They answer questions, provide reassurance, support breastfeeding, check on your baby, and often become an important confidante during a very special phase of life.
At the same time, it's often not easy to find an available midwife in many regions. That's why we've put together the most important steps for you: lovingly, practically, and without pressure.
When should I look for a midwife?
It's best to look for a midwife as early as possible – ideally right at the beginning of your pregnancy or as soon as you know you are pregnant.
Many midwives are booked up months in advance. Especially if you are looking for postpartum care, home visits, or a specific type of support, it's worth inquiring early.
But even if you're later than ideal: please don't give up immediately. There are always available slots, waiting lists, last-minute cancellations, or alternative support options.
Where can I find a midwife?
You can search in several places simultaneously. This significantly increases your chances.
1. How to use midwife search portals correctly
Online search portals are often the quickest way to start. However, it's important to note: not every portal automatically shows whether a midwife still has available capacity. Therefore, it's worth using multiple sources in parallel and systematically working through the results.
Start with Ammely
Ammely is the nationwide platform of the German Midwives Association for arranging midwifery services. There you can search for midwives in your area and specify the services you need, such as postpartum care, prenatal care, breastfeeding counseling, or courses. It's particularly helpful that midwives can enter their availability there. There is also an emergency search for short-term support.
Here's how to proceed:
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Enter your postcode or place of residence.
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Select the service you really need.
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Enter your estimated due date.
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Don't just contact one midwife, but several suitable midwives in parallel.
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Make a note of whom you contacted and when.
Important: If you don't get any hits, don't change your request immediately. First, expand your search radius and check whether you can also include a midwife who offers practice visits or online consultations.
Also use the GKV midwife list
The midwife list of the GKV-Spitzenverband (National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds) is particularly important if you have statutory health insurance. There you will find self-employed midwives who are allowed to bill for services at the expense of the statutory health insurance funds. The list provides contact details such as name, telephone number, and sometimes email address.
The advantage: The list is an official source for self-employed contract midwives.
The disadvantage: It does not reliably show whether a midwife currently has available capacity. You have to ask the midwife directly.
Here's how to use the list effectively:
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First, search using your own postcode.
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Then, gradually expand the radius.
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Check whether the midwife offers postpartum care, prenatal care, or other desired services.
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Contact suitable midwives directly with a brief, complete inquiry.
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If you have statutory health insurance, state this directly in your message.
Search for regional midwife centers
Many cities and regions have their own midwife centers, midwife lists, or referral agencies. You often won't find these through the large portals, but rather through a targeted Google search.
For example, search for:
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midwife center + your city
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midwife referral + your city
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midwife association + your federal state
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postpartum midwife + your city
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midwife practice + your district
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birthing center + your city
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family center + your city + midwife
Regional offerings can be particularly helpful because they often have a better understanding of which midwives are active in specific districts or counties.
Don't just search for "midwife"
Many parents only search for the word "midwife." It's better to search more specifically, because not every midwife offers every service.
If you are looking for support after birth, specifically search for:
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postpartum midwife
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follow-up care midwife
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midwife postpartum
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midwife home visits
If you are looking for support during pregnancy, search for:
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midwife prenatal care
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midwife pregnancy support
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midwife practice prenatal care
If you are looking for breastfeeding help, also search for:
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breastfeeding consultation
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midwife breastfeeding consultation
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breastfeeding consultant + your city
This often helps you find services that might be overlooked in a general search for "midwife."
Work with a simple contact list
If you contact multiple midwives, it can quickly become confusing. Therefore, keep a small list.
Note down:
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Name of the midwife
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Website or portal
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Phone number / E-mail
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Requested service
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Date of inquiry
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Response
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Acceptance, rejection, or waiting list
This may seem trivial, but it helps enormously. It prevents duplicate inquiries and allows you to follow up politely after a few days.
Other good ways to find a midwife
Online portals are a good start. But often you find a midwife not just through a search engine, but also through regional networks. That's why it's worth contacting several places simultaneously.
2. Ask your gynecologist's office
Your gynecologist's office is often a good first point of contact. Many practices know local midwives, have their own contact lists, or know which midwives frequently care for patients from their practice.
It's best to specifically ask them about midwives for your desired care, for example, for postpartum care, prenatal care, or breastfeeding counseling. It's particularly helpful to ask if there's a regional midwife center, a referral service, or a midwife practice near you.
Some practices cannot make a direct recommendation. Nevertheless, you often get hints about local lists, birthing centers, courses, or counseling services there.
3. Contact a birthing hospital or birth center
Birthing hospitals and birth centers are also good points of contact, especially if you already know where you want to give birth.
They often know midwives from the region, offer their own courses, or can tell you if there are local midwife lists, breastfeeding clinics, parent education centers, or counseling services.
If you have already received many rejections, ask them specifically about support options for pregnancy, the postpartum period, and breastfeeding. Sometimes there are midwife consultations, breastfeeding counseling, or other services that can at least cover part of the care.
4. Contact your health insurance provider
Your health insurance provider can also be an important contact. They can explain which midwifery services are covered and whether there are their own search or referral services.
This is particularly useful if you have statutory health insurance or have already received several rejections. Ask specifically for a midwife list, a search service from your health insurance provider, and what you can do if you can't find a midwife despite intensive searching.
It's best to write down when you called and what information you received. If you want to follow up later, a small documentation will help you.
5. Ask other parents and local groups
Personal recommendations can be very valuable. Ask friends, neighbors, colleagues, parents from antenatal classes, or local parent groups.
Recommendations from your immediate environment, i.e., your district or community, are particularly helpful. Because a midwife who is generally recommended may not automatically cover your residential area.
Local Facebook groups, WhatsApp groups, family centers, breastfeeding groups, or postnatal exercise classes can also provide good leads.
Important: A recommendation is a good start, but not a guarantee. Every family has different needs. Therefore, it is perfectly fine to check during the first contact whether the midwife really suits you, your place of residence, and your due date.
What should I write to a midwife?
Many midwives receive a lot of inquiries. Therefore, it helps if your message contains all the important information directly.
You can use this template:
Subject: Midwife care inquiry / estimated due date on [Date]
Hello [Name],
I am looking for a midwife to provide care during pregnancy and/or the postpartum period.
My estimated due date is [Date].
I live in [City/District/Postcode].
I have [statutory/private] health insurance.
I am seeking support for [postpartum care / prenatal care / breastfeeding counseling / childbirth preparation / postnatal recovery].
If you still have availability, I would be very happy to hear from you.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
How many midwives should I contact?
Even if it feels unusual: it is perfectly fine to contact several midwives simultaneously.
In many regions, a single inquiry is unfortunately not enough. Therefore, it's better to contact several midwives at the same time and make a note of whom you have already contacted.
A simple list can help:
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Name of midwife
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Date of inquiry
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Response received?
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Acceptance, rejection, or waiting list?
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Follow-up needed?
This way, you keep track and don't have to remember everything.
What to do if all midwives are booked?
If you receive many rejections, it's frustrating. Please don't take it personally. It's often not about you, but about the high demand and the fact that many midwives have limited capacity.
These steps can help:
1. Ask about waiting lists
Sometimes spots become available again. Kindly ask if you can be put on a waiting list.
2. Expand your search radius
If you are mobile or can visit a midwife at a practice, this increases your options.
3. Search for individual services
You might not find full postpartum care, but support for specific issues like breastfeeding counseling, postnatal exercise, or childbirth preparation.
4. Check online consultations
For some questions, an online midwife consultation can also be a helpful addition. It doesn't always replace personal care, but it can provide short-term relief.
5. Contact your health insurance, gynecologist's office, and clinic again
If you can't find a midwife, inform your health insurance provider, your gynecologist's office, and your birthing clinic. Specifically ask about regional emergency lists, midwife centers, or alternative counseling services.
What questions can I ask the midwife during the first contact?
If a midwife has capacity, feel free to ask a few questions. After all, the support should be a good fit for both sides.
Possible questions include:
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Do you cover my residential area?
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Do you offer home visits during the postpartum period?
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How does the care usually work?
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How often will we see each other approximately?
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How can you be reached for urgent questions?
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Which services do you bill through health insurance?
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Are there services that must be paid for privately?
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Do you have any particular specializations?
You don't have to clarify everything immediately. But a good first impression is important.
Do I absolutely need a midwife?
A midwife is a great support for many families. Especially in the postpartum period, she can help to put physical changes, the start of breastfeeding, baby's weight, umbilical cord care, and many small uncertainties into perspective.
However, if you can't find a midwife, you are not alone and not "poorly prepared." In that case, it is even more important to organize other reliable support: your gynecologist's office, pediatrician's office, birthing clinic, breastfeeding counseling, family, friends, or local counseling services.
Our loving tip
Seek support early – and allow yourself to accept help.
Especially around birth and the postpartum period, not everything has to go perfectly. It's not about doing everything alone. It's about starting this new time well-supported.
At Mata Origin, we believe: parents don't need more pressure. They need good information, practical help, and products that make everyday life with a baby easier.
Frequently Asked Questions about Finding a Midwife
When is the best time to look for a midwife?
Ideally, as early as possible in pregnancy. Many midwives are quickly booked up, especially for postpartum care and home visits.
Can I still find a midwife later?
Yes, that is possible. It can be more difficult, but not impossible. Contact several midwives, use search portals, contact your health insurance, and ask your gynecologist's office or clinic for options.
What does a midwife cost?
Many midwifery services related to pregnancy and the postpartum period are covered by statutory health insurance. Additional services may need to be paid for privately. It's best to ask your midwife or health insurance provider directly about the exact conditions.
How do I properly inquire with a midwife?
Write concisely, politely, and with all important information: estimated due date, place of residence, desired service, and insurance. A clear inquiry makes it easier for the midwife to respond quickly.
What do I do if I only receive rejections?
Please don't give up. Ask about waiting lists, expand your search radius, contact your health insurance provider, and ask your gynecologist's office, clinic, or birthing center for other options.
Can I contact several midwives at the same time?
Yes. In many regions, this is even advisable. The important thing is to keep track and politely decline once you have found a suitable midwife.
What is the difference between a midwife, a doula, and a lactation consultant?
A midwife is medically trained and accompanies pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period. A doula primarily offers emotional and practical support, but does not replace a midwife. A lactation consultant specifically supports with breastfeeding questions.
