NEWS

We’re celebrating our 10th anniversary!

Ten years ago, our new (current) delivery ward—as you know it—was inaugurated. For a long time, the delivery ward was housed in the old building—first under the roof, then on the first floor. After extensive planning and renovation in the newly constructed wing of the clinic, the time finally came for us to move in.
It was an exhausting feat of mastery, but we think it was worth it! After the work was done, we sat on the new floor, ate pizza from the delivery service, laughed, celebrated, and toasted with champagne! On that very first day, one of the new birthing tubs was also christened.

We’re giving you a little glimpse into the old delivery ward, the move, and photos of the ward’s shell construction.

We look forward to many more great years and are very grateful for everything we’ve already experienced together there.

The Easter season in Christianity stands for profound sorrow and even greater joy, and thus perfectly embodies our midwifery profession.

Fertility and creative power, the emergence of life, the dawn of something new. Mostly positive, though not always. Being aware that everything is in flux and coming into being, that life somehow goes on, that crises are merely new beginnings—this applies to world politics on a grand scale, but also to every family in a small way, and especially right now to us self-employed midwives.

These days, we are celebrating several births and yet feel sad and uncertain about how we can continue working given the outcomes that the arbitration ruling on fee negotiations means for us. No—being a midwife is not a hobby, but our profession, our livelihood. It is a demanding job at any hour of day or night with unpredictable workloads, a (mostly) women’s profession for (mostly) women—plus the surprise of pregnancy. And yet we’re supposed to accept this: a birth here with us ‘at the Josefs’ is worth only 80 % of the planned fee?! If, at the same time, a second woman is in the delivery ward (regardless of the reason!), her birth is reimbursed at only 30 %?! In both cases—with each child in the womb or at the breast—we still bear 100 % of the responsibility and 100 % of the costs! The unpredictability of births is being punished financially. Night work, work on weekends and public holidays—like today, Easter Monday—will in future bring in less than before. An outrage!!! Despite our incomprehension of this ‘valuation,’ we are striving to deal with the situation constructively and purposefully.

Hopeful, as Easter dictates.
Powerful, as spring reveals.
Brave, because giving up is not an option.

This is how birthing women show us the way every day. This is who we midwives are. We always find a way.
Thank you for your inspiration and your trust in these challenging times.

Kristin is practically a cornerstone of the midwifery team at ‘the Josefs’ and both the namesake and a member of the midwifery partnership. Here, we would like to introduce her to you:

Who are you?
My name is Kristin Organischak. In 1998, I moved from Halle/Saale to Potsdam to work as a midwife at St. Josefs Hospital. Back then, the delivery ward was still a cozy space tucked away under the old building’s roof.
Today, I am the mother of three children and deeply grateful for the loving and heartfelt support I received from midwives during my own births. Thank you!
In my free time, I play the accordion, am learning to dance Lindy Hop, and enjoy spending time with my children.

How long have you been a midwife? Why did you choose this profession?
I completed my training in 1997 in Halle. What I love about being a midwife is the combination of anticipation, excitement, and calmness surrounding birth, the intense encounters, and the sense of connection with families during these powerful moments — moments that can also include grief.

Why did you choose St. Josefs Hospital?
What I appreciate about St. Josefs Hospital is the friendly atmosphere and my pleasant bike ride to work.

What do you offer in your freelance work?
I work full-time in the delivery ward.

New year – new team photos!

So that you’re always up to date on who you might meet in our delivery room.
So that you can see that we are ONE TEAM.
So that you can see who might accompany you during labor and be there for you when your baby is born…

We look forward to seeing you!

The lights are lit,
Joy enters every room.
Christmas joy is proclaimed
under every tree of light.
Shine, light, with a bright glow,
everywhere, everywhere, there should be joy.

Sweet things, beautiful gifts,
now go from hand to hand.
Every child should have joy,
every child in every land.
Shine, light, with a bright glow,
everywhere, everywhere, there should be joy.

The lights are lit,
around, every room is bright.
Christmas peace is proclaimed,
spreading out into the world.
Shine, light, with a bright glow,
everywhere, everywhere, there should be peace.

We wish you a wonderful and reflective Christmas season and a happy New Year. Thank you very much for the trustful cooperation!
The midwives from St. Josefs Hospital.

In time for December 24th, our Justine was asked for an interview, which you can read here.

P.S. Justine’s grandmother always enjoys seeing her granddaughter in the newspaper. She also planted the idea in her mind to become a midwife. What a great grandmother!

We have very good and important news for you!

Starting January 1, 2025, we can provide your newborns with the RSV prophylaxis Nirsevimab. The Robert Koch Institute recommends administering the vaccination as soon as possible after birth for all newborns born between October and March. With your consent, the baby will receive the vaccination from our doctors on the maternity ward at St. Anna on the day of discharge. Of course, the vaccination record will also be provided!

Health! Without a stuffy nose, cough-cough, fever, and achoo…