What is the difference between a baby hatch and an anonymous birth?
In a baby hatch (also known as a "baby window", "baby basket" or similar), a newborn baby can be delivered anonymously. It slides into a heated bed, where an electronic signal ensures that the child is cared for immediately. However, no one looks after the mother. She is alone, both medically and with her problems.
The anonymous birth proceeds like a "normal" clinical birth, but without the woman giving birth revealing her identity to the maternity clinic. The child and mother receive medical care. The mother can still receive advice and support with her decision at the hospital if she wishes. She is safe from pressure from other people.
In both cases, the biological mother has the option of providing information about the child's origins without revealing her own name. Under notarization law, the child is treated as a person with an uncertain civil status. The competent administrative authority (district, independent city) then determines the place of birth and date of birth as well as the first name and surname to be entered in the register of births by the registry office.
In the case of anonymous births and baby hatches, the child will first receive medical care. At the same time, the youth welfare office will work with the staff at the baby drop - independently in the case of anonymous birth - to ensure that the child is suitably accommodated and cared for. Finally, the child is placed in so-called adoptive care. This means that the child is placed with a suitable family who would like to adopt it.
