Well-being - A decade of secretive births: hidden identities, yet nurtured properly.
Occasionally, it's the dread of a violent father, at times it's the apprehension of one's own family, and occasionally it's economic or psychological dependency that compels some pregnant women to conceal their pregnancy from the individuals closest to them. But where do these women give birth? And what transpires to the infant after? Since 2014, women encountering particularly challenging circumstances in Germany have had the opportunity for a confidential birth.
The intention behind this option is to deter infanticide and abandonment and provide these children with the chance to discover their backgrounds, which experts believe is indispensable for their personal growth. Initially implemented on May 1st, 2014, the confidential birth is a legal alternative to baby drops and anonymous entrances.
The first step is contacting the "Distressed Pregnant Women" helpline, available 24/7 in 19 languages at 0800 40 40 020. Here, the expectant mother is redirected to a pregnancy counseling center. The councilor, being the lone individual cognizant of the woman's actual identity, records her details on a birth certificate, which is stored safely in a sealed envelope. The envelope bears details about the date, place of birth, the pseudonym given to the woman, and the child's name. After birth, the infant is entrusted to social services, eventually being put up for adoption within approximately a year if the mother does not revoke her anonymity. At sixteen years old, the child earns the right to obtain their mother's personal details, unless the mother actively objects for significant reasons. In such cases, a family court determines the course of action.
As of February 2024, a total of 1166 women have opted for a confidential birth. This occured at a consistent rate of around ten cases per month. No data has been collected from the states themselves, but the frequency of cases annually is relatively low, posing a substantial endeavor totalling from emergency services to registry offices. For instance, Bavaria, Germany's second most-populated state, recorded only 17 cases of confidential births in 2022.
The motives behind a confidential birth, asserts Evi Kerkak, Donum Vitae's expert in Bavaria, are multifarious and personal. The "Moses Project," introduced in 1999 by the Donum Vitae association, aiding pregnant women in tumultuous circumstances, is a nationwide trailblazer. They allowed women in Bavaria to give birth anonymously, ultimately leading to confidential births.
Fear is a prominent driver among these reasons, according to Kerkak. For example, a woman may dread being forced into marriage in her home country if discovered to be pregnant. Another mother fears being subjected to murder by the child's father, pursuing a different spouse, if she doesn't terminate the pregnancy. Yet others apprehend the loss of their livelihood or the disruption of their family structure.
The second major factor, as per Kerkak, is shame. Women who already depend on youth welfare support and unexpectedly become pregnant again may be especially vulnerable. Similarly, those who've undergone sexual assault. The third factor is mental instability. The women's prevailing thought? "I can't even care for myself; how will I manage a baby?"
A routine adoption process is often infeasible for the mothers as an alternative, as they'll be shunned in several parts of society and multiple agencies - from health insurance firms to notaries - will learn about the birth. "The desire for anonymity, often not for the kid, but for the surroundings," stresses Yvonne Fritz from the German Catholic Women's Service.
The majority of professionals in this field advocate for the merit of confidential births as the "best conceivable compromise," although they admit it hardly deters infanticide or abandonment, generally perpetrated in haste. However, they express reservations: for instance, those lacking valid identification or in Germany illegally are dealt with anonymously, a legal limbo. Additionally, no legislation or funding exists for pregnant women to obtain registered facilities to shield them during birth.
Freelancers seeking confidential births could be dissuaded from performing so due to bearing the financial responsibility for the delivery but not all these affected individuals possess insurance coverage. Moreover, many advocate for a specified timeframe following which a child is up for adoption.
With ten years of its practice, advocates of confidential births desire more acknowledgment for these mothers, potentially encouraging more to opt for a regulated adoption, featuring significant benefits for both the mother and child. Pinne, from the pro familia counseling center association, affirms that resolute show of respect and appreciation for these women are key."The majority of women in counseling say that the most significant factor for me is whether the child is well, and yet they believe they're poor mothers," remarks Heike Pinne."However, they ensure their child lands in good hands."
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Source: www.stern.de
