Interesting facts
A few years ago, women spent an average of 7 days at the hospital after giving birth. Nowadays, the stay at the hospital is about 2-3 days after a vaginal delivery and 3-4 days after a caesarean section. As consulting midwives, we help you with a good start at home and take over your care when you leave the hospital.
Do I need a midwife to visit me postpartum?
To hire a consulting midwife is optional. The visits are covered by your basic health insurance – for a good reason: Your midwife is an expert about all sorts of questions around newborns and their brand-new parents. She identifies difficulties and will refer you to the right professional if necessary.
What does a midwife do on her visit?
- She is ready for all sorts of questions
- She checks on your breasts and helps with nursing and/or bottle feeding your child
- She observes the physical recovery of the mother and the healing process of possible tears/stitches
- She helps with the care of your newborn, incl. the first bath
- She checks the newborn and its development
- Depending on how long a family stays at the hospital after delivery, your midwife takes care of the routine blood screening which has to be done in a certain time frame starting 72h after birth and administers the second dose of Vitamin K.
When should I start looking for a midwife?
As early as possible! I recommend contacting a midwife in the second trimester, so at about 13 gestational weeks.
Who pays for my midwife’s visits?
The visits are covered by your basic health insurance. There is an additional fee which covers your midwife being on call from 37 gestational weeks until 8 weeks postpartum. You will find all information about this additional fee here: www.hebammensuche.ch/dienstleistungen
Most municipalities and some insurers also cover this fee, but it is not guaranteed.
Until when will my midwife visit me?
Your midwife can come by anytime during the first eight weeks after birth. 16 visits with the first child or after a caesarean section are covered, 10 from the second child on and after a vaginal delivery.
If you have any further questions, I am happy to help you out! I am looking forward to hearing from you!