Pregnancy; counseling

Expectant mothers - and fathers - are entitled to comprehensive advice on all issues relating to pregnancy and birth, regardless of age, cultural background or ideology. Advice is provided confidentially, impartially, free of charge and, if desired, anonymously by the state-recognized advice centres for pregnancy issues and by the non-state-recognized (Catholic) advice centres for pregnancy issues. Counseling is available as often and for as long as necessary in individual cases. It can also take place after the birth until the child is 3 years old.

In particular, the service includes psychosocial counseling and information on the following topics

• Sex education, contraception and family planning,
• Social and financial assistance for pregnant women and young families, including state social benefits and help with finding or keeping a home, job or training place,
• Pregnancy check-ups and questions about childbirth,
• the special rights of pregnant women and parents in working life,
• Questions about prenatal diagnostics,
• Help options for living with a child with a chronic illness and/or disability,
• Possible solutions for psychosocial conflicts in connection with pregnancy,
• Counseling and support during a confidential birth,
• legal and psychological aspects in connection with adoption,
• Questions about abortion
• Advice and support for unfulfilled desire to have children
• Counseling and support after a miscarriage or stillbirth and after the early loss of a child.

The state-recognized counselling centres for pregnancy issues are also responsible for the statutory pregnancy conflict counselling. Only these are authorized to issue the certificate of pregnancy conflict counselling, which is a prerequisite for a penalty-free abortion.

In addition to advice, practical help is also provided. Women affected can, for example, be supported in their dealings with the authorities when claiming statutory benefits.

With the consent of the pregnant woman, other people can be included in the consultation.

None

• Conflict counseling: immediately, i.e. as quickly as possible
• General pregnancy advice: no time limits

• Valid proof of identification (e.g. identity card)
• recommended: medical certificate of pregnancy

• none

• none
• recommended: Maternity passport

none

• Act on Pregnancy Counseling - Bavarian Pregnancy Counseling Act (BaySchwBerG)

  GVBl 1996 p. 320; BayRS 2170-2-A

• Act on the Prevention and Management of Pregnancy Conflicts - Pregnancy Conflict Act (SchKG)
• § Section 218a of the German Criminal Code (StGB)
• § Section 219 of the German Criminal Code (StGB)

• Pregnancy counseling in Bavaria
• Landesstiftung Hilfe für Mutter und Kind - Pregnant women in need
• Landesstiftung Hilfe für Mutter und Kind

  Information from the Bavarian State Ministry for Family, Labor and Social Affairs

• Pregnant in Bavaria
• Helpline for pregnant women in need
• Family Bavaria
• Information and application forms for parental allowance - ZBFS

  Homepage Bavarian Center for Family and Social Affairs

• Information on the Bavarian family allowance
• Information on the Bavarian crèche allowance - ZBFS
• Information and application forms for child benefit and child supplement

  Homepage Federal Employment Agency

• Prenatal Counseling - Topic Page

  Website of the State Advice Center for Pregnancy Issues at the Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen Health Department

• Health - Topic Page

  Well-Informed Whether it's health care, counseling, or prevention—here you'll find additional information, helpful links, and the latest articles and resources on a variety of topics.

Contact a pregnancy advice center.

Conflict counseling generally takes place in a face-to-face meeting. Most state-recognized pregnancy advice centres also offer general digital pregnancy advice.

• Conflict counseling: immediately
• General pregnancy advice: depending on the individual case

• Social affairs; information