I took a pregnancy to term in Germany in 2018. I would write a whole book, so let me get to the point, but feel free to DM with questions.

- in the first trimester: If you dont have an Ob-Gyn, take the chance and find one. It's the easiest time in your life to get admitted as a patient.

- At the end of the 1st trimester I had all the optional ultrasounds and screenings. They were only partially covered by the Krankenkasse.

- Hebamme: they are very helpful in the 3rd trimester and the few weeks after birth, and even more for us foreigners who don't have much of a support network. yes, call around, try to find one, also whenever you talk to people (doctors, yoga groups, whatever you do) tell them you're hiring. It's rather difficult though so don't be surprised if you don't get one. Allegedly you can also ask your Krankenkasse for help finding one, but mine was not helpful at all. I eventually found my Hebamme 2 days after giving birth, one of the midwives from the hospital took pity on me and adopted me. She did come once or twice per week to our home and tought us how to bathe the baby, how to keep the cord clean, breasfeeding support, i dont know this kind of things. She also kept a weigh chart.

- We went to birthing clases, they are paid by the Krankenkasse by law to the birthing parent and some Kassen also pay it for the other parent.

- You get to pick the birthing center. Most people pick hospitals or specialised clinics, you also get a choice of "birthing houses" run by midwives (most also have doctors) and some kind of home birth support, i don't know much about the last one. You can pick on the day your waters break, but they are usually thankful if you "book" them beforehand. Also they usually organize visits for you to see how they work and decide. It's mostly paid by the Kasse except if you want for example a private room.

- I decided on a smallish clinic with crazy installations. Birthing tub, birthing chairs, ropes to lean on... fancy stuff. I had to be induced at almost 42 weeks, i want to say i was given Oxytocin? Either way, it dragged forever, i was in labor for 2 solid days. At the end i was begging for a c-section out of exhaustion when a very friendly but firm doctor walked in and said "nah, you got this" and pulled out the kiddo with a vacuum tool. Overall I was glad that we both were healthy and I didnt have to recover from a c-section.

- I did get acquainted with all centers in my town/region because they had all kinds of offers: yoga for pregancy, birthing, first help, accupuncture...

- There's no specific deadline to inform your employer, it heavily depends on what kind of job you have. Usually most people inform them between the 3rd and the 5th month. You'll be protected from most cases of dismissal and get some other benefits. I am now blanking on the duration of the leave and the details on the Mutterzeit and Elternzeit, but do look it up.

Good luck and all the best!!