When I first found out I was pregnant, I felt a mix of excitement and complete overwhelm. My husband Tom and I had just moved to Munich a year earlier, and even though I loved living here, the idea of giving birth in another country made me nervous. I wasn’t sure how the hospitals worked, what my options were, or what kind of support I could get.

A friend told me about doulas — and after a bit of Googling (and reading a lot of late-night forums), I decided to reach out to a doula in Munich. That was one of the best decisions I made during my whole pregnancy.

Preparing for Birth

I met my doula, Julia, when I was around 22 weeks pregnant. From the very first conversation, I felt calmer. She didn’t just talk about breathing or birth positions — she asked how I felt about becoming a mother, what scared me, what I hoped for. It was such a relief to talk openly without feeling judged.

We met several times before the birth, sometimes in her cozy office in Schwabing, other times at my apartment. She showed me different relaxation techniques, taught Tom how he could support me physically during contractions, and helped me write down a birth plan that actually reflected me.

By the last few weeks, I felt surprisingly peaceful. I wasn’t expecting everything to go perfectly, but I trusted my body — and the people around me.

The Day It Happened

It all started early on a Sunday morning in June. I woke up with a strange, rhythmic cramping and thought, Hmm… this feels different. I took a shower, had breakfast, and then things started to pick up.

By early afternoon, I called Julia. She listened quietly on the phone and then said, “You sound like you’re doing great. I’ll meet you at the birth center soon.”

When Tom and I arrived, the midwives welcomed us, and Julia was already there with her calm, grounding presence. She dimmed the lights, set up a little diffuser, and reminded me to breathe in deeply and let go of tension with every exhale.

Labor felt intense, but not frightening. I moved, I breathed, I moaned — and through it all, Tom and Julia worked together like the perfect team. When I felt tired, she reminded me to rest. When I doubted myself, she looked me in the eye and said, “You’re already doing it.”

And then, suddenly, it was time. A few powerful pushes later, our baby boy, Emil, slipped into the world just after midnight.

The First Hours

I’ll never forget that moment. The room was quiet except for Emil’s tiny cries. I held him against my chest, and time just seemed to stop. The midwives moved softly around us, and Julia stayed close, making sure we had everything we needed but also giving us space.

After a while, she made me tea, helped me get comfortable, and whispered, “Take your time — this is your moment.”

It really was.

Looking Back

Now, a few months later, I often think about how different my birth could have been without her support. Having a Munich doula made the entire experience feel less clinical and more personal. Julia didn’t replace the midwives — she completed the picture.

To anyone expecting in Munich, I’d say this: if you’re unsure about hiring a doula, just meet one. Talk to her. See how you feel. For me, having that emotional and physical support was priceless.

I went into labor nervous but came out feeling strong, grounded, and proud. And I’ll always be grateful for that.