Seeking Doc Advice in Stuttgart, Germany

Hello!
We just left Germany. I had both my kids there, now 2 1/2 and 6 months. With both I went to a Dr on the economy and I really liked her. I went to the same one for both kids. She did a sonagram at every apt and I really liked the care. I had my first one in a German hospital and I loved it. They had alternative ways of giving birth like the ball, the tub, the ladder on the wall. I had him standing up and hunched over my hospital bed. It was a midwife that did all the work. The Dr came in at the very end. Anyways, I was in the Wiesbaden area so I don't know who is available in the Stuttgart area, but I think you should look into having your baby on the economy. Ask around to people on base. That is how we got my Dr's name and I ended up loveing her. I wouldn't want to have a child in the states now that I have had mine there. Good Luck and drop me a line if you have any other questions!

I do not have any referals for doctors, but I do have advise for you, you said in your last few words that getting pregnant for the first time and having a baby in a foreign country is a bit daunting, and you are right!
I'm not sure how long you have been in Germany but give yourself time to adjust to everything and take things in first, travel and go through what most wives call their "depression stage" because you do not want to go through that pregnant!
Second make sure you have a great support network set up before you get pregnant, meaning establish a good group of friends that you can trust and love you, you will need them! and so will your husband!
If you are close to your family talk to them about your wishes before getting pregnant will your mon/dad/grandma or best friend be able to attend the birth or help you out for a while after if that is something that you may want. I know some of my firends will not take a two hour plan ride let alone 8-10 hours and for parents make sure that they are available to drop what they are doing or are healthy enough to come give you a hand. Having a baby can be emotionally draining and the best time of your life at the same time which is why we need people around us who love us so just think about those things before conceiving.

Are you guys in the military? I go to the clinic of Dr Walenhauser but not him its a guy in the clinic. IF you want more info just email me! ____@____.com

Hi L.--
I'm glad you've gotten several positive responses! I would recommend caution when choosing an obstetrician: a friend of mine was about 35 and pregnant with her 5th. The (German)doctor told her not once but twice that the baby would be fine if she stayed on bedrest, but he insisted that she didn't want to be on bedrest for several months, so she should let him abort her baby! Ladies from our chapel group, PWOC, took turns making meals, helping around the house, and taking care of the family. Praise God, that happy, healthy boy is now 13.
Best wishes! S.

We live in Kaiserslautern and I had my baby on the economy with a German doctor and midwife. I loved the experience. The German healthcare system is wonderful. They actually watch for potential problems and signs leading to problems as opposed to the American healthcare system that just waits and treats the problems when they occur. The German doctors believe you should be involved in the process and should have a say in how things are done. They are not big on pain killers though. So if you are planning on anything for pain, be sure to make that clear up front so they are prepared. Also, here, they do a sonogram at every visit to measure the baby and watch how he/she is doing. The Americans only do them once or maybe twice unless there is a problem. It is nice to see how your baby is growing and it helps to see any potential sign of problems. The difference in the German hospitals though is something to be aware of...it isn't bad...just different. They serve a very light breakfast (bread and butter and jelly) and a large lunch (like we would eat for dinner) and just a small sandwich for dinner. So, you may want to bring snacks. Also, you have to have Euro to buy phone access while you are there. Otherwise you won't be able to use the phone and cell phones don't usually work with all the machines. They usually have shared rooms without dividers unless you ask for a single room (you must pay the difference if there is one available...like maybe 20 euro more a night or something because tricare won't). Some rooms have bathrooms and some don't. At the hospital I went to, they preferred that we change the baby's diaper in the nursery so they could keep track. They provide clothes for the baby to wear while there and diapers and formula if you are using bottles. They are very helpful and will aide you in breastfeeding, changing, bottle feeding or whatever is needed. I had a good experience with it myself and have heard the same from others. If you know what to expect going in, it can be a wonderful experience. Sorry I can't give you the name of a doctor in your area but you can have tricare assign you one and then see how you feel about him/her. It's really about how comfortable you feel with the person. Good luck. If you have any other questions about it...feel free to e-mail me.
B.

I am currently pregnant and living on Panzer. I highly recommend Dr. Korte in Boeblingen. He was recommended to me, and I am pleased with everything so far. I also recommend you start taking over the counter prenatal vitamines right now, before you are pregnant. After you find out you are pregnant, you walk in to the clinic on Pach (you just have to go to the nurses station). They will do a pregnancy test there for you and then send you to Tricare and they will hook you up with a Dr. on the economy and just request the one you have heard the most good things about. Best of luck with everything.

L.-

I live in Stuttgart & had a wonderful experience with my pregnancy & delivery. First - you have to have the clinic on base confirm your pregnancy. Once they've done so (it's just peeing in a cup - nothing fancy) the nurse will put a referral into Tricare for permission to see an OB/GYN out in town. When that's in you go to the Tricare office. They are wonderful here - I mean it, they go above & beyond to help you - I've NEVER had that happen before.!! Since we have good paying, private insurance we see the department heads/senior physicians who speak English very well. Most of the doctors have had US training. The Tricare office has a very thorough list of the area doctors. You have two types of doctors you can see: ones who do prenatal checkups only and ones who do checkups and deliveries. I chose to see a checkup only Dr - I saw Dr. Krauss, I highly recommend him. His office was right on the vaihingen marktplatz - very convenient as i live on patch. ( I have an older child, so going to the hospital for each appt & not having a guaranteed time made arranging childcare almost impossible.) Each visit i had an internal exam & an ultrasound... I literally got to watch my baby grow. It was amazing. You only get 1-2 ultrasounds with military health care in the states. I delivered at Robert Bosch & was amazed by the hospital and the staff. I even had a new mom suite!!! ... with a private bath & sitting area. it was awesome! It was such a wonderful experience - mush BETTER than the one I had in the states!

Good Luck