Pregnancy in Germany - VERY different from the U.S.

I've never been pregnant anywhere else but Germany, but I do know a lot of people who have been pregnant in the U.S. and I can tell you that my experiences are vastly different. Here are some interesting differences that I've noticed so far:

1. Midwives: one is required by law at every childbirth. It is expected that I find a midwife during my pregnancy who stays with me throughout the nine months as well as assists during the first few months of the baby's life. My doctor recommended one for me and she is fabulous. She spends a lot of time with me when I go to my doctor's visits. I have her cell phone number and email address. When I broke out in a terrible rash, I sent her an email and she emailed me back a list of homeopathic treatments.

2. Medicines: natural remedies come first.  When I told my doctor I was dealing with horrible nausea during the first trimester, he gave me a list of natural remedies. I told him that I was drinking ginger tea and that seemed to help. He told me that it would be better to buy the actual ginger root, shred it, and boil it with water rather than buy the tea bags. I've never had a doctor in the U.S. up my game on a natural remedy!

3. Maternity leave + parental leave: a potential 14.5 months (YES - 14.5 months!) paid leave.  Maternity leave starts 6 WEEKS PRIOR to the birth of the baby PLUS 8 weeks after the baby is born. You receive FULL pay during these 14 weeks. THEN, starts the parental leave (taken by mother or both mother AND father) which is until the baby turns 1. With that you receive 67% of salary PLUS child's money (184 euros /month) to cover the extra expenses of raising a child.

4. Hospital stays: For vaginal delivery, the average stay for mother and baby in the hospital is 5-7 days (if everyone is healthy). It's much longer if there is something wrong or if it was a C-section.

5. Laws protecting the pregnant woman: Pregnant women are not allowed to work more than 8.5 hours / day, they're not allowed to work with chemicals, they're not allowed to be on their feet for an extended amount of time, they're not allowed to carry more than 5 kgs, and many more. If their job usually entails these things, the employer must make modifications for the expectant mothers.

6. Ultrasounds: doctor's love these. I have had an ultrasound every time I've visited the doctor. That would make 4 ultrasounds and I'm 18 weeks pregnant.

I'm sure there will be more along the way, but here were the first few outstanding ones.