Marienhaus Klinikum Neunkirchen’s Baby Hatch: A Safe Haven for Mothers

Since its establishment in 2001, the baby hatch at Marienhaus Klinikum Neunkirchen has not been used to surrender a child since 2017. Despite this, the hospital continues to emphasize the importance of this service as a critical protection for mothers facing extremely difficult circumstances. The hospital provides comprehensive support for pregnant women, including confidential births and connections to counseling centers.

How the Baby Hatch Works

The baby hatch at Marienhaus Klinikum Neunkirchen is designed to allow parents to leave their baby safely and anonymously, 24 hours a day. The hatch is equipped with a motion detector that triggers an alarm and notifies the pediatric intensive care unit and obstetrics departments when activated. This ensures immediate medical attention for the infant. Following activation, the hospital directorate is informed, who then contacts the youth welfare office.

A Decline in Use Reflects Improved Support Services

Between 2001 and 2017, nine babies were surrendered through the baby hatch at Marienhaus Klinikum Neunkirchen, the only one in Saarland. Yvonne Hubertus, Corporate communications officer at Marienhaus GmbH, attributes the subsequent decline in use to increased awareness and accessibility of counseling services for pregnant women. “We assume that the counseling centers are better known. Anonymous or confidential counseling sessions are often used during pregnancy,” Hubertus stated.

Alternative Support Options at Marienhaus Klinikum Neunkirchen

Marienhaus Klinikum Neunkirchen offers several alternatives to baby hatch surrender:

• Confidential Births: Mothers can choose to remain anonymous throughout the pregnancy and childbirth process. The process involves registering personal details with a counseling center, which are then securely held by the Federal Office for Family and Civil Society Tasks (BAFzA). The center then facilitates contact with a clinic or midwife and the youth welfare office. The child’s origins can be disclosed to them upon request when they reach the age of 16.
• Counseling Services: The clinic collaborates closely with support centers like the Catholic Women’s Social Service and the Youth Welfare Office to provide comprehensive support to pregnant women and mothers.

About Marienhaus Klinikum Neunkirchen

Marienhaus Klinikum Neunkirchen is a hospital located in Neunkirchen, Saarland, offering a range of medical services, including:

• General and Visceral Surgery
• Gynecology and Obstetrics
• Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology, and Diabetology
• Pediatrics
• Accident, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery

The hospital has 184 beds and handles approximately 13,274 inpatient cases and 37,015 outpatient cases annually.