If you do not want your pregnancy and the birth of your child to become public knowledge, since 1 May 2014 you have been able to give birth to your child 'confidentially' so that no one in your circle of friends and family will find out.

A confidential birth aims to protect you and your child and to ensure medical care during the birth. Unlike an anonymous birth, in a confidential birth the child has the opportunity to find out the name of their mother when they reach the age of 16, unless there are compelling reasons not to do so.

If you are considering a confidential birth, you can contact our counselling centre anonymously during our opening hours, using a pseudonym (name of your choice) of your choice.

We advise, accompany and support you in all matters relating to your pregnancy and the birth of your child, regardless of whether you wish to give birth anonymously or confidentially. We are bound by professional secrecy.

Outside our opening hours, you can call the free helpline "Schwangere in Not" (Pregnant Women in Need) on 0800-4040020 or contact us via the secure access of the nationwide chat and email counselling service filtered by postcode. Your call/email will be anonymised and you will not be asked for your name.

You can find the basic procedure for a confidential birth on the SkF information sheet for pregnant women .

For further information, you can view an information brochure from the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMFSFJ) or visit their website at www.hilfetelefon-schwangere.de.

A multilingual flyer for pregnant women in need (BMFSFJ) can also be found HERE.

You are welcome to make an appointment with us at the pregnancy counselling centre at SkF:

Telephone: 09721/9414-300

Email: schwangerschaftsberatung@skf-schweinfurt.de