Seven months pregnant and in need of advice - Berlin

hello
i'm 7 months pregnant with my 2nd child but new in germany so i have no idea how things are done here.
i've already started going to a frauenarzt who is real kind and helpful but she always seems in a hurry and i still need to clarify some things.
she said she would arrange for a midwife for me (but i don't know if she will deliver me or not ),she asked me where i lived and gave me the phone number to Martin-luther krankenhaus in casper-theyß str (anyone have an idea about what to expect there ?),do i go there and should i go there now?!
and when i go into labour should i call an ambulance.
as you can see i have quite a handful of questions ,can anyone help me out?
Oh one more thing i need a kinderwagen is there anywhere i can get one for both my 21 month old daughter and my newborn.

Thanx

Jumana

Here is a list of Midwife( Hebamme) threads. Read through them for they will help you.

Midwife links

and this

Giving births

Thanx Perdido
the links did help with other questions i had but i couldn't find answers to the questions i posted, so i still need help please

You need to register with a hospital or Geburtshaus asap. Most places have open days several times each month where you can see if you like it or not. You'll get to meet the midwives there and you can find out if there are any English speaking Hebammen there (or your language, if you're not native English). I think you need to decide if you get a Beleghebamme or just go for pot luck on the day (which might be rubbish if you don't speak German).

You could look for a Beleghebamme that works in your area first if you'd prefer and then maybe she can give you a consultation (all paid for by your Krankenkasse).

As for the buggy: You need to look for a Geschwisterwagen Maybe there are some on ebay that are cheaper than bought new and there's a Babywaltz shop in your neck of the woods (near Ku'damm)

I'm sure if you went along to the Mums and Bumps group, you could get more info from the people there- like whether to call an ambulance (I think it depends if it's too early or there's something wrong but I've never been in labour so I have no clue!)

Best of luck!

Hi,
some hospizals you need to register with, many you can just turn up to. The midwife your doctor will organise for you will probably just be before and after care, and will not be allowed in the hospital with you. Hospitasls have their own midwifes on rotating shifts, and you don't know who you will get. the only exception to this is if you have a 'beleghebamme', which to be honest at this stage you will be highly unlikely to get as they are normally booked up 6 months in advance. Sorry for typos, typing with baby in one arm. send me a PM with a phone number and I can call you to chat more if you like aas I've just been through the whole thing. And unless it is an emergency you don't call an ambulance to get to hospital, you just call a taxi - one company runs a 'storchentaxi' service specifically for it. their number is 0800 22222 55.
pen

Hi Jumana!
I am also going through my first pregnancy as a foreigner in Berlin: so far so good! I don't have all the answers myself, as I learn day by day thanks to my doctor and my hebamme, but i would recommend you either join the mums and bumps group on Toytown (I haven't, yet) or have a look at www.mrbarnaby.de (I signed up for their "Everyhting you know about giving birth in Berlin" workshop on Nov 7th...maybe see you there?).
Margot

Hello Jumana,

Yes you're very welcome to come along to the workshop I'm organising on 7 November at Freund Blase in Prenzlauerberg. It's being run by an Australian midwife who's been living and working in Berlin for over 17 years. Topics that the midwife will cover include choices for pregnancy care and place of birth, health and well-being in pregnancy, antenatal testing and support and resources in Berlin. The workshop is designed for first time parents, parents who have already had a child/ children in other countries and couples who are thinking of becoming parents. Please let me know if you'd like me to send you more information.

Melanie