GUIDE FOR EXPECTANT PARENTS Network for Child Protection and Early Support Introduction Dear expectant parents, You are experiencing a particularly exciting period of your lives. The upcoming birth of a child changes your life. Your son or daughter will enrich your daily life, giving you extraordinary moments of happiness. But it is also a time which poses many new questions. Your family or good friends can help you as you begin daily life with a child. You also receive support from our district’s institutions. We have put to- gether some important information for you in this brochure. Your questions about the birth, official matters such as parental benefits, child custody, child benefits and maintenance, but also about offers available for families with young children in the Oder-Spree district are all answered here. This guide supports you in getting to grips with daily life with your child from the very beginning. The welfare of children and families is a special concern of mine. I look forward to your suggestions about how we as an administration can further improve support for our youngest citizens and their parents. I wish you and your children good luck, good health and a great time! Legal notice Publisher District Administrator, Oder-Spree District Address Breitscheidstraße 7, 15848 Beeskow, Tel. 03366 35-0, Fax. 03366 35-1111, [email protected], www.l-os.de Editors Jeanett Kleinert, Youth Welfare Office, Planning & Controlling Best wishes Christiane Andres, Health Department, Health Promotion Manfred Zalenga Cover photo Pregnant woman with family © Jonas Glaubitz - Fotolia.com Composition and layout Martin Schmidt, Office & IT Management/Services As of December 2015 3rd Edition 1000 This may only be reprinted or reproduced, including in part, with the publisher’s written permission. 2 3 Contents Contents 1 Health 6 2. 2 Finances _________________________________________________________38 1. 1 Pregnancy _________________________________________________________6 2. 2. 1 Parental benefits/parental benefits Plus ___________________________ 38 1. 1. 1 It’s 100% certain – there’s a baby on the way. What now? _______________ 6 2. 2. 2 Child benefits _________________________________________________ 39 1. 1. 2 Advisory services during pregnancy _______________________________ 10 2. 2. 3 Advance payment of maintenance ________________________________ 40 1. 1. 3 How does it work with the midwives? ______________________________ 11 2. 2. 4 Grants _______________________________________________________ 42 1. 1. 4 Offers for pregnant women ______________________________________ 12 2. 2. 5 Endowments _________________________________________________ 43 1. 2 The birth _________________________________________________________14 2. 2. 6 PRO Work - municipal Job Center _________________________________ 44 1. 2. 1 Is it happening now? ___________________________________________ 14 2. 3 Daycare__________________________________________________________46 1. 2. 2 Maternity clinic/birthing center __________________________________ 15 2. 3. 1 Where can I find a daycare center or a daycare agency? _______________ 46 1. 3 The baby is here……...along with many questions ____________________________16 2. 3. 2 When should I apply to the Youth Welfare Office to have my needs determined? _47 1. 3. 1 Nutrition, crying, sleep _________________________________________ 16 1. 3. 2 Medical check-ups in the first 3 years _____________________________ 18 3 Offers for families 49 1. 3. 3 Vaccination calendar ___________________________________________ 20 1. 3. 4 Offer of the “Strong Families-Healthy Children” network ______________ 22 3. 1 Parent-Child/Family Centers _________________________________________49 1. 4 Contact data ______________________________________________________23 3. 2 And when support is necessary... ______________________________________51 1. 4. 1 Gynecological medical practice __________________________________ 23 3. 2. 1 Child guidance centers _________________________________________ 51 1. 4. 2 Pediatrics practices ____________________________________________ 26 3. 2. 2 Support from the Youth Welfare Office _____________________________ 52 1. 4. 3 Midwives ____________________________________________________ 29 3. 2. 3 Early support and advice centers _________________________________ 53 3. 2. 4 Support from the health department ______________________________ 54 3. 2. 5 The Center of Social Pediatrics (SPZ) ______________________________ 55 2 Agencies/applications 35 3. 2. 6 Family sponsorships from the “Strong Families-Healthy Children” network ____56 2. 1 Certifications _____________________________________________________35 3. 3 Interesting publications _____________________________________________57 2. 1. 1 Birth certificate/registry office ___________________________________ 35 3. 3. 1 Parents’ letters ________________________________________________ 57 2. 1. 2 Certificate of paternity/parental care/maintenance __________________ 36 3. 3. 2 Useful links __________________________________________________ 58 2. 1. 3 Determination of paternity ______________________________________ 37 3. 3. 3 Important telephone numbers ___________________________________ 60 3. 3. 4 Important addresses ___________________________________________ 61 4 5 Health Health 1 Health We recommend…, • eating lots of fruit and vegetables, dairy and cereal products. • drinking and sleeping enough. 1. 1 Pregnancy • enjoying mealtimes and taking enough time for them. • thinking about taking supplements with folic acid. • getting enough exercise, particularly in the fresh air. 1. 1. 1 It’s 100% certain – there’s a baby on the way. What now? • avoiding major strain and heavy lifting. An exciting period of life begins. There is a lot you can do for your health and the health • giving up smoking and alcohol entirely. of your child as optimal preparation for the birth. If possible, enjoy the time in peace, with • primarily using personal hygiene products without added perfumes or colorings. joy and little stress. And what else is there to consider? Tips are not just for expectant mothers. • Your health insurance company will have a lot of important information and offers for you. We recommend…, • The pregnancy advice centers can advise, help and give an overview of so- • making contact with a midwife immediately after discovering the pregnancy. cial support. • visiting an antenatal class. • It is important to keep the examination appointments with your • packing a hospital bag early on. gynecologist(s). • preparing everything for the baby. • Your primary physician can help you with general health complaints. • getting important telephone numbers ready (maternity clinic, midwife, • The dentist can give you information and advice for oral health for you and gynecologist, emergency 112, taxi number). your child. • choosing a pediatric practice. ` Always consult a gynecologist if you have bleeding or pains. • clarifying which family member will accompany you for the birth. • Preparing and filling out registration forms and applications (maternity benefits, employer contribution, parental benefits, child benefits). Good stomach health – how can this be achieved? • giving a prenatal acknowledgment of paternity/custody declaration Healthy eating and active exercise promotes your well-being and that of your child. (which is important for naming). 6 7 Health Health What should I pack in the hospital bag? (approximately 8 weeks before the due • Blanket, baby blanket date) • Baby seat for the return by car Documents, important files What should we have prepared at home? • Maternity log For you • The gynecologist’s hospitalization • wide and comfortable t-shirts or nightwear • Health insurance card • Briefs, pads for lochia (without plastic coating) • ID card • Quark for breast compresses (tightness) • Family register with own birth certificates (mother and father) • Nursing pads For you • Facilities for a sitting bath • comfortable nightwear (buttoned at the front for breastfeeding) or wide, For the baby long t-shirts • Baby clothing, care utensils • Underwear (mainly cotton) • Muslin diapers as burping cloths • thick, warm socks • Fever thermometers • Slippers • Bottle with suction cup (if needed) • Nursing bra • Bottle brush • Wash things, unscented toiletries, disposable flannels • perhaps your favorite music and book, camera, video camera General - Fotolia.com © Oksana Kuzmina • small lunch, drinks • Pre-wash laundry For you – going home • Have enough in the fridge (supplies) • prepare cozy corners for the baby in time • Clothes which fit you in about the sixth month of pregnancy • Place to change diapers, diaper-changing equipment For the baby – going home • Bassinet or cot, mattress and mattress protector • A small shirt, a romper, a small jacket, small socks, a bonnet • Bathtub and small washbowl, bath thermometer • (clothing appropriate for the time of year) • Stroller or baby seat • Diapers • sealable bin for diapers 8 9 Health Health 1. 1. 2 Advisory services during pregnancy Underage with a baby? ...many people are here to help... Pregnancy advice/pregnancy conflict advice centers because underage pregnant women and mothers are especially protected by society. Here you’ll find information and advice on topics relating to pregnancy, family It is important be open with all questions from the beginning. Confide in your parents, planning, social benefits (child benefits, housing benefit, funding from endowments, acquaintances, friends. etc.), legal questions