Pregnancy / Birth

Find out about the time of pregnancy at an early stage. It is also important that you prepare for childbirth.

To help you, there are many counselling centres that will advise you personally and possibly even in your language.

The Canton of St.Gallen also offers many services for the time after the birth to support you during this time.

Pregnancy

You can go to a gynecologist for the examinations. Midwives are also available to accompany and advise you during pregnancy. You can also get important information from the family centre or from the mothers/fathers counselling service. In the hospital and with your midwife, you can attend a course on birth preparation.

Your health insurance will cover the cost of medical examinations and childbirth.

Pregnancy and childbirth brochure (multilingual)

Pregnancy - information page in many languages

Birth preparation

You can go to a gynecologist for the examinations. Midwives are also available to accompany and advise you during pregnancy. You can also get important information from the family centre or from the mothers/fathers counselling service. In the hospital and with your midwife, you can attend a course on birth preparation.

Your health insurance will cover the cost of medical examinations and childbirth.

Pregnancy and childbirth brochure (multilingual)

Preparation courses for childbirth in different languages

mamamundo offers preparatory courses for childbirth in different languages. Take advantage of the offer in your native language if you have any questions about childbirth:

Offers from mamamundo

mamamundo Birth Preparation Courses

Midwives

The midwife accompanies and advises you and your family holistically during pregnancy, childbirth, the postpartum period and throughout breastfeeding.

You can choose the midwife yourself. Ideally, you should look for your midwife 3-4 months before the birth.

Search for midwives in the Canton of St.Gallen new window

Midwife at the Cantonal Hospital of St.Gallen

A film by the Cantonal Hospital of St.Gallen

Doula Birth Companion

A doula accompanies women and couples during pregnancy, during childbirth and in the time after. A doula assumes the role of physical and emotional support and does not perform medical procedures and consultations.

Find doulas near you new window

The Birth

You decide where you want to give birth to your child: whether at home, in hospital or in a birthing center. Your midwife will accompany you.

You must report the birth of your child to the civil registry office at your place of residence within 3 days. This task is usually carried out by the hospital or birthing centre. You can then order the birth certificate from the Zivilstandsamt at your place of residence.

Health insurance

Every baby needs its own basic insurance. You can take out this before the birth (and no later than 3 months after the birth).

If you want to insure your unborn child comprehensively, it is worth registering before the birth. You can also take out supplementary insurance before the birth.

> health insurance

Giving birth in the Women's Clinic of the Cantonal Hospital of St.Gallen

Information for parents-to-be – Women's Clinic Kantonsspital St.Gallen

Information centres

Counselling Centre for Family Planning, Pregnancy and Sexuality "fapla"

The specialist centre for family planning, pregnancy and sexuality "fapla" of the Women's Centre informs you about various topics relating to pregnancy and childbirth, parenthood, unfulfilled desire to have children, loss of pregnancy.

The consultations are free of charge.

Counselling centres for family planning, pregnancy and sexuality "fapla" new window

Mütter- und Väterberatung

Your child develops very quickly in the first stage of life. This also comes with challenges. As parents and guardians, you will receive free advice in all situations.

The counsellors of the Mütter- und Väterberatung Service are experts in the following topics:

General development of the child from 0 to 5 years old
Breastfeeding
Infant formula (Formula)
Sleep
Introduction to complementary foods
General nutrition in children from 0 to 5 years of age
Education / Health / Prevention
Coping with conflicts in the family
Networking with other families

Here you can find the counselling centre in your place of residence:

Directory of the Canton of St. Gallen

Counselling for mothers and fathers in a nutshell

A video of the MVBO

Further counselling services

Here you can find further counselling services:

Financial Assistance / Parenthood Contributions

In the event of the birth of a child, the parents (residing in the canton of St.Gallen) are entitled to parental contributions. This applies if at least one parent is personally dedicated to the care and upbringing of the child and the child's needs are not covered by the income.

The parent who is the primary caregiver of the child is entitled to claim.

To register and if you have any questions, please contact your municipality of residence directly.

Accesskeys

Register the birth of your child with the Civil Registry Office

Annual gynaecological check-up included

Pregnancy

Pregnancy and childbirth brochure (multilingual)

Pregnancy - information page in many languages

Birth preparation

Pregnancy and childbirth brochure (multilingual)

Preparation courses for childbirth in different languages