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Prenatal care, 1:1 labour assistance and postpartum care from a single source.

Welcome at mamãe,

the midwife team in Berlin.

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PRENATAL CHECK-UPS
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24/7 ON CALL SERVICE FOR LABOUR FROM 29+0
1:1 care provided by a midwife
BIRTH WITH RELIABLE 1:1 CARE
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POSTPARTUM CARE

About Us

We are mamãe: two midwives who work together as a team to support families throughout pregnancy, during birth, and in the postpartum period.

We are midwives because we love the many special moments and emotions that come along with giving birth. We always consider it a privilege to accompany the arrival of a new human being. However, we believe that families benefit immensely from continuous 1:1 care during the journey of becoming parents. We work as so called "Beleghebammen" (independent midwives) that means that we have a collaboration with the DRK Westend Hospital in Berlin, where we offer birth attendance in a 1:1 care in the labour room. In our approach, we are more "down-to-earth" than "spiritual-esoteric" and always aim to give back some of the trust that is placed in us as midwives.

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Clara Carl

Midwife

Open, approachable, and always reliable, Clara is the optimist of the team with her sunny disposition and enthusiasm. She thrives under positive pressure and light chaos, naturally taking care of others without being asked, especially when things don’t go smoothly—often with fresh croissants in hand. She also has a passion for Latin America, enjoys speaking Portuguese, and loves making music in her free time.

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Sonja Bruchhausen

Midwife

Whatever falls into Sonja's hands is in excellent hands. She carefully manages what is entrusted to her and is always open to new ideas and good suggestions. Spirited yet calm, she brings a sense of peace to the team and, as the mother of a 10-year-old daughter, has advice for almost any situation. In her free time, you can often find her at the Schaubühne theater in Berlin or enjoying an autumn stroll around Lake Liebnitz with her family.

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How we work

FROM THE BEGINNING OF PREGNANCY
UNTIL BIRTH AND THE END OF BREASTFEEDING.

AS MIDWIFES WE WAN TO PROVIDE A
broad scope of care.

We are so-called independent midwives, working fully freelance and not employed in the regular shifts of a clinic. Our work is defined by the the concept of "care continuum," which spans from family planning through pregnancy and birth to the postpartum period, and ends only when you, as a family, feel safe and confident in your actions. We aim to meet you early in the pregnancy, so a trusting foundation can form between us as midwives and you as expectant parents. After all, you should know who you’ll call when labor starts and who will accompany you on your birth journey. Regardless of what’s happening in the labour room, you will always have reliable 1:1 care from us. Since we work as a team, we can ensure continuous 1:1 care even if a birth takes longer. Having a familiar midwife by your side during birth creates a climate of trust in this demanding time. As independent midwives, we support families throughout the entire care continuum. We are familiar with the latest guidelines and tailor our care to these medical standards. Of course, we will call in doctors or specialists when necessary. However, we generally see pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period as natural phases in a woman’s life. Our focus is on the concept of "salutogenesis," which means fostering women’s trust in their body’s capabilities. Our goal is to support you with our expertise during this transformative time, ensuring that you can always make the right, and above all, informed decisions for yourself.

Support & Prenatal Care
during pregnancy

During your pregnancy, we will alternate prenatal check-ups with your OB-GYN. This way, you'll get to know us, allowing a personal bond and trust to develop throughout your pregnancy. The same goes for us, as we want to get to know you and understand the “emotional or medical baggage” you might carry, such as your wishes or possible concerns.

Alongside the usual check-ups as outlined in maternity guidelines, we make time to address topics relevant to each phase you’re in. "When is the right time to look for a childbirth preparation course? Can I prepare myself for breastfeeding? Should I do a GBS swab, and what are the implications?" We discuss relevant issues proactively, helping you navigate the flood of information with experience and expertise. Just like your OB-GYN, we conduct all necessary lab tests, check the baby’s position, and monitor the heartbeat using a Dopton, a small ultrasound device. Should complications arise, we will naturally involve your OB-GYN or the DRK Westend clinic. Only the three recommended ultrasound exams remain the exclusive responsibility of your OB-GYN. We’ll always schedule these check-ups so that these three screenings take place with your familiar OB-GYN.

Prenatal care provided by independent midwives
bonding with mamãe

mamãe [say mamai] is Portuguese and a loving way to say "Mama."

The word is also inspired by the Japanese term Amae, which can best be described as "freedom within security." This concept is found in all human relationships but is especially present in the very first one — a person’s relationship with their mother. Amae means being aware of being loved and accepted just as you are. Every person needs this kind of relationship to develop, as only when assured of affection can they feel safe to explore and express themselves within its protection.

FAQ

WHERE DO THE BIRTHS YOU ASSIST TAKE PLACE?

We accompany the families we support to the delivery room at the DRK Westend Clinic in Berlin Charlottenburg. The clinic offers eight pre-labor rooms and five delivery rooms. It is also certified as a so called "baby-friendly clinic", meaning it prioritizes family-centered and bonding-promoting childbirth. For outpatient births, you may—under certain conditions—go home shortly after delivery. However, if you choose to stay in the hospital for a few days, the postpartum unit provides, alongside standard double rooms, several family and private rooms, allowing you to spend the early days with your baby in a supportive environment, depending on availability and preference. As a Level 1 perinatal center, DRK Westend Clinic offers the highest level of obstetric care. This includes optimal support for preterm births from around the 28th week of pregnancy. The clinic has a specialized neonatology unit with pediatricians available around the clock. Additionally, an anesthesiologist is always present in the delivery room to provide prompt pain relief if needed.

WHERE DO THE BIRTHS YOU ASSIST TAKE PLACE?

We accompany the families we support to the delivery room at the DRK Westend Clinic in Berlin Charlottenburg. The clinic offers eight pre-labor rooms and five delivery rooms. It is also certified as a so called "baby-friendly clinic", meaning it prioritizes family-centered and bonding-promoting childbirth. For outpatient births, you may—under certain conditions—go home shortly after delivery. However, if you choose to stay in the hospital for a few days, the postpartum unit provides, alongside standard double rooms, several family and private rooms, allowing you to spend the early days with your baby in a supportive environment, depending on availability and preference. As a Level 1 perinatal center, DRK Westend Clinic offers the highest level of obstetric care. This includes optimal support for preterm births from around the 28th week of pregnancy. The clinic has a specialized neonatology unit with pediatricians available around the clock. Additionally, an anesthesiologist is always present in the delivery room to provide prompt pain relief if needed.

HOW DOES THE ON-CALL SERVICE WORK AND WHEN DOES IT START?

We are on call starting from the 29th week of pregnancy, as care for premature infants is possible in the neonatology unit of DRK Westend from that week. In these rare but challenging and often unpredictable situations, the support of a familiar professional is particularly important. We can ensure this unusually early start to on-call service thanks to our team approach. Starting from the 29th week of pregnancy, you will receive a phone number where we are available to you at any time—24 hours a day, 7 days a week, regardless of weekends or holidays. If labor begins, you can reach us at this number, and we can discuss together whether it is time to head to the delivery room. The on-call service ends with the birth of your child.

WHICH DISTRICTS OF BERLIN DO YOU COVER? IS THERE A SPECIFIC AREA THAT I HAVE TO LIVE IN?

Currently, we offer support to families throughout Berlin, regardless of where they live. However, since we are based in the northern part of the city, we can only provide postpartum care after a primary midwife-assisted birth for families living in the following areas: Prenzlauer Berg, Mitte, Wedding, parts of Pankow, Moabit, and Charlottenburg. If you live in another part of the city, we can still provide care during pregnancy and for the birth. However, you would need to find another midwife in your area for postpartum care. In such cases, please reach out via email or our contact form with your exact address to discuss whether support is possible and what form it can take.

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF A MIDWIVES TEAM? HOW MANY MIDWIVES WILL I GET TO KNOW?

We decided to work as a team to offer continuous care throughout the year, without breaks during busy times like the popular summer months or around Christmas. This means you can count on us, even if your due date falls during the Berlin summer holidays or on New Year's Eve. Working in a team allows us to balance being on call with having days off to recharge, so we can continue our work rested, in good spirits, and—hopefully—for many years to come. For lengthy births, our team approach offers the advantage of alternating, so you’ll always have fresh and rested support by your side, as even the best midwife’s energy has its limits. During pregnancy, you’ll get to know both midwives on the team. Depending on who is on call when labor starts, that midwife will be there to accompany you. This way, you’ll always have a familiar face by your side in the delivery room.

HOW MUCH DOES CARE BY MAMÃE COST?

Every pregnant person in Germany has a legal right to midwifery care, covered by health insurance. These services include support during pregnancy, at birth, and postpartum. We bill our services directly to your health insurance, or for privately insured clients, we issue an invoice that can be submitted to your private insurance. We are available 24/7 for weeks before the due date and will come to the delivery room to support you at any time. For this on-call service, we charge a flat fee. This service is not covered by midwifery fees through health insurance, but most public health insurers cover between €250 and €1,000 of these costs. For specific information about on-call fee coverage, please contact your insurance provider directly.

DO YOU OFFER SUPPORT IN ENGLISH OR ANOTHER LANGUAGE?

A Resounding Yes! We’re thrilled to support non-German-speaking families and believe that 1:1 care during pregnancy and birth is especially beneficial for families who may be less familiar with the German language and healthcare system. We are happy to offer care in English to all families. One of our midwives also speaks Portuguese and Spanish. However, since we work as a team, exclusive care in Portuguese or Spanish is unfortunately not possible; support would alternate between Portuguese/Spanish and English, depending on which midwife is available.

CAN I ONLY HIRE YOU FOR POSTPARTUM CARE?

Unfortunately, no. Due to capacity reasons, we are currently only able to support families who choose to have a primary midwife-assisted birth with us and thus take advantage of the full range of care.

FEEL FREE TO SEND US A
care
inquiry 

Prenatal care provided by independent midwives
Midwifery Team Clara Carl Sonja Bruchhausen Berlin
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Image film by the German Midwives Association (DHV) about the experience of being supported by a midwife.
#irreplaceable

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