Baby in Berlin Elodie Roux Heineck

The journey to life in Germany is paved with challenges. Finding a job, a flat with Anmeldung, a Kita for the kids, so much so that you might forget about learning the language altogether.

This interview with André Silva, language teacher at Expath, is supposed to motivate you to take this one extra step to enable you to confidently participate in conversations at the Biergarten. And to say something else outside "genau".

Here are the topics we discuss:

- Hope and motivation for you out there

- André's journey from not speaking the language to now training German teachers

- The difference between classroom German and everyday German

- Should you start learning the language before or after moving to Germany?

- Will you learn German intuitively or is it better to have classes?

- Should you learn within an intensive course or as a regular activity?

- Can you get by without speaking German in Germany?

- What might you be missing out on if you don't speak German?

Learn more about Expath's German classes here!

This episode is an interview with Tia Robinson, co-founder of Expath to discuss everything you need to know about accessing a visa or a residence permit for Germany. As I am an EU citizen and never had to go through this process, Tia joins me to share her experience not only as a US citizen, but also as the co-founder of Expath, a relocation and language course company based in Berlin.



- What's the difference between a visa and a residence permit?

- What are the requirements to obtain a residence permit in Germany?

- What are the different kinds of residence permit in Germany?

- How long does it take to get a residence permit in Germany?

- Tia's tips to prepare for the worst-case scenario of not getting your residence permit on time to start working

- Should the entire family move together or is it better for one parent / spouse to move first and the rest of the family reunifies afterwards?

- What should freelancers have in mind when applying for a residence permit?

- What kind of savings should you plan to have to obtain a residence permit as a freelancer?

- How can Expath help future immigrants to Germany and when should you get in touch with them to prepare your application?

Contact Expath if you need assistance with your residence permit!

Get in touch with Baby in Berlin if you are moving to Germany as a family and need help with family paperwork!

In this episode I am joined by Shanay Rocker, a Doula in Berlin who has been practicing placenta encapsulation for years. Together we look at some of the myths and legends surrounding placenta encapsulation, as well as answering some common questions on how to go about it if you're thinking of having some placenta capsules of your own.



Here are the topics we cover:

- what exactly is placenta encapsulation?

- how does it work from a practical perspective?

- do hospitals allow to take your placenta with you in Germany?

- which precautions do you have to take if you want to keep your placenta?

- what are the benefits of placenta capsules?



Whether you're curious about this process or if you're thinking about it for yourself, have a listen and let us know if you have any further questions on the topic!

In this exclusive podcast episode, we have a special guest who knows the challenges and triumphs of finding a Kita in Berlin as an expat parent firsthand. Join us as we sit down with Angela, a fellow expat and parent and client of mine, to hear her personal journey and invaluable insights into navigating the Berlin childcare landscape. Angela took my online course "How to find a Kita in Berlin" in December 2021 and was offered 4 Kita spots before the summer of 2022.

Angela shares her experiences, tips, and advice on finding reliable and suitable childcare options in the bustling city. From understanding the different types of childcare facilities available to deciphering the application processes, she provides a wealth of information that will empower expat parents in their quest for the perfect childcare solution.

As we delve into their firsthand experiences, Angela addresses common concerns, shares success stories, and offers practical strategies for finding quality childcare in Berlin. From bilingual facilities to cultural integration, we discuss the important factors to consider when making this crucial decision for your children.

Whether you're a new expat parent settling in Berlin or have been navigating the city for some time, this podcast episode is a must-listen. Gain valuable insights, learn from someone who has been through the process, and feel inspired and confident in your childcare search.

Tune in to this illuminating conversation with Angela and get ready to embark on a journey of finding the perfect childcare solution for your family in Berlin.



Jump straight to

2:20 Background story of Angela, when she arrived in Germany, had her baby and how she felt about the baby bureaucracy at first

4:10 How much do we know about this ? Do we need to find out more information ? Was everything we heard

5:00 when Angela watched the online course and when she wishes she would have done it

6:50 how Angela found the course to be organized, what she learned through it vs what she learned through friends, what she learned about Kita options

“you won’t find (this advice) on a website”

12:20 how long it took to watch the course and when she effectively started her search

14:40 how much time Angela dedicated to looking for a Kita and how she went about her search

16:40 how many Kitas and Tagesmüttern did Angela apply to

16:50 the timeline when Angela started the search, was offered a spot, and when the baby is starting Kita

18:40 how did Angela keep track of her search, which tools did she use

21:00 the one simple assumption you should not make when looking for a Kita

22:10 what would Angela do differently if she had to do it all over again

Join us for an insightful episode of our podcast as we dive into the world of parenting in Germany with Dr Christine Krämer, a renowned gynecologist in Stuttgart and co-founder of Gravidamiga (https://www.gravidamiga.com/) a start-up offering pregnancy and post-partum courses. Designed specifically for expat parents, this episode offers a wealth of knowledge and practical advice to navigate the unique challenges and healthcare system in Germany.

Our guest, Dr Christine Krämer, a seasoned gynecologist, shares invaluable insights on a wide range of topics, including prenatal care, birthing options, postpartum support, and newborn care. Discover the differences in the German approach to pregnancy and childbirth, and gain a deeper understanding of the available resources and services tailored to expat parents.

Tune in to our podcast and let's unravel the mysteries and challenges of pregnancy in Germany, together!



Jump directly to:

2:30 the different types of OBGYN in Germany

5:50 the role of an OBGYN at birth in Germany

6:30 female health and regular gynecologic check-ups in Germany

8:30 pregnancy confirmation, defining the due date and the Mutterpass

12:25 regular pregnancy check-ups in Germany

16:00 how does the pregnancy care with the gynecologist work if you also have a midwife

20:00 your birth place options in Germany (including hospital, birthing centers, home births, outpatient birth)

27:30 post-partum care with the gynecologist (including getting a milk-pump from your OBGYN, the post-partum recovery course Rückbildung)

31:00 all courses offered by Dr Christine Krämer and her business partner Kira Neumann at Gravidamiga

Afloat is a non-profit organization based out of Heidelberg that offers support to international pregnant and new mothers in Germany through the ups and downs of motherhood. They offer support groups, information & resources, as well as educational events, with a special focus on maternal mental health.

I interview in this episode Johanna, their co-founder and director, about the mission of Afloat, what they offer to international mothers in Germany and how they can help in receiving mental health support.

What is Afloat and what is its mission (03:30)
What can mothers expect from Afloat’s maternal mental health warmline? (08:00)
Can the volunteers at Afloat explain the procedure to get insurance-paid mental health support? (09:30)
Afloat’s support groups: what they are, what to expect (14:40)
What is the profile of the attendees of the support groups? (19:00)
What is Afloat developing towards, what is the future of Afloat? (22:00)
Links to resources we discussed:

Afloat’s website: https://www.afloatheidelberg.de

Blog post from Afloat: Navigating the maternal mental health system in Germany

https://www.afloatheidelberg.de/blog/navigating-the-maternal-mental-health-system-in-germany

Getting help in receiving maternal mental health: Schatten und Licht

https://schatten-und-licht.de/?lang=en