ASB-Hebammenzentralen

ASB Hebammenzentralen NRW is a network of midwife coordination centres operated by the Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund (ASB) in cities and regions across North Rhine-Westphalia. Its purpose is to help expectant parents find suitable midwifery care, particularly where a shortage of midwives makes the search difficult. Regional centres serve areas including Bergisch Land, Bielefeld-Gütersloh, Bochum, Essen, Gelsenkirchen, Herne, Kreis Mettmann, Münsterland and Vest Recklinghausen.

Parents can contact their local centre through an online form, sharing details such as their due date, existing children and the services they need. Staff use a tailored database to identify potential matches from a pool of midwives, clarify details when necessary, and—with the midwife’s agreement—connect families with a suitable provider. The matching service is free and aims to take families’ individual preferences and location into account.

The network also supports midwives by coordinating enquiries and reducing time spent on administrative tasks. Its broader work includes information for midwives and parents, and the ASB-Hebammenmobil, a mobile service that supplements care for pregnant women and mothers.