Baby flap in the Herz-Jesu hospital: save a life with anonymity!

In the Herz-Jesu Hospital Fulda, a baby flap has been set up, which enables mothers to give up their newborns anonymously. This facility offers protected access, which is marked by a sign with the inscription "baby flap". Mothers who are in a precarious location and are unable to keep their child can hand over their baby in this special window that can be opened from the outside. Inside the baby flap there is a heat bed that is constantly heated to 37 degrees Celsius to optimally supply the newborn.

If a mother operates the button to open the baby flap, an alarm signal sounds that the medical staff immediately informs. A doctor, a midwife and a pediatric nurse are ready to take care of both the child and the mother. Women also have the opportunity to leave a personal letter to their child in the heat bed. The social service of Catholic women (SKF) provides flyers and further information. After the levy, the child is medical care; There is a resuscitation unit in an emergency.

care and adoption of newborns

After the handover to the baby flap, the youth welfare office and the SKF are informed to find suitable adoptive parents. Adoptive parents have the opportunity to spend a few days in the family room with the baby to build a bond. If the biological mother does not give a name, the pediatric nurses can choose a name for the baby. A report to the adoption service takes place within 24 hours after the child was submitted.

critical voices say that the concept of baby flaps restricts the right of children to the knowledge of their origin. As an alternative option, there is confidential birth, in which mothers can safely give birth in the delivery room, while their personal data is pseudonymized. Since the introduction of the baby flaps in 2002, a total of eight babies have been handed in anonymously in Fulda, while a total of ten children have been cast in the three baby flaps in Fulda, Hanau and Kassel in the past four years. In addition, the doctors register an increase in mental problems in young people, which is why the hospital offers child and adolescent psychiatry that offers space for up to 51 children and young people.

The possibility of giving birth to pregnant women anonymously is a measure to prevent secret births or child movements and is offered in many hospitals. After the anonymous birth, the child is looked after by the youth welfare office, which is usually responsible for the mediation of adoptive parents. Mothers have the opportunity to give birth anonymously in the hospital, being under medical and psychological care. With this form of birth, no personal data is required, and the mothers can leave the hospital after childbirth without the baby. In most cases, mothers have up to six months to undo the release for adoption.