For three decades, the Regenbogen Discussion Group—a volunteer-run organization—has been supporting parents who have experienced the painful loss of a child before, during, or shortly after birth. A central part of its work is providing dignified burials for “star children,” whether in communal or individual ceremonies. 
The event offers an opportunity for professional exchange, networking, and a look back at 30 years of “Sternenkinder” in Göttingen.
The symposium will take place at the Hotel Freigeist, Berliner Str. 30, 37073 Göttingen.
Please register by email at anmeldung@regenbogenverein-goettingen.de.
The participation fee is 80.00 euros; the reduced rate for high school and college students is 50.00 euros. Please direct any
questions by email to info@regenbogenverein-goettingen.de.

Schedule/Program for the Event:
9:00 a.m.: Reception/Registration
9:30 a.m.: Welcome address by Stephanie Pache, 1st Chair of the RGG
9:40 a.m.: Speech by Birgit Scharnowski-Huda, “How It All Began,” founder of the RGG
10:00 a.m.: A Guide to Supporting “Star Parents”—specialized lecture by Dr.
Merle Michaelsen, MD, senior physician at Neu Bethlehem Hospital,
Göttingen
11:00 a.m.: “When Silence Falls in the Delivery Room”—a presentation by midwife Andrea
Strube on silent births and supporting those affected
12:00 p.m.: Lunch break
1:00 p.m.: Face to Face—Starting a Conversation Together—Panel discussion with affected parents
who have lost a child 2:00 p.m.: Introduction to “Early Intervention Specialists” by Ms. Elena Müller,
Early Intervention Coordinator for the Göttingen
District 2:30 p.m.: Coffee break
2:45 p.m.: Presentation by Natascha Sagorski on her book “Every Third Woman” and the journey
from the petition to the enactment of staggered maternity leave
4:15 p.m.: Feedback and closing remarks

The first webinar will take place online via Zoom on May 18, 2026, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. in English.

Topic: The Formative Space of Birth:
Listening to the Baby’s Story—Understanding the Birth Experience

How do the first moments of our lives shape our personality?
This interactive forum invites professionals to explore the profound “inner world” of the newborn.
The speaker is Karlton Terry, who has been a dedicated pioneer, practitioner, and lecturer in the field of pre- and perinatal psychology for over 35 years.
Cost: 45 EUR
Professional Director: Johanna Lauff, INPP Germany
Scientific Director: Dr. Dirk Häger, HeideKongress

Additional HeideKongress webinars with Karlton Terry will take place on the following dates, each from 6:00–7:30 p.m.:

Topic: Umbilical Cord on September 7, 2026

Topic: Implantation on December 7, 2026

Topic: Conception on March 8, 2027
 

Further information and registration details can be found here. 

Financial hardship, cramped living conditions, job insecurity: Social stressors have a significant impact on pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. But how can we provide care that does justice to this reality? The continuing education workshop “Seeing More, Providing Better Support—Poverty Sensitivity Around Childbirth” invites professionals to reflect on their attitudes and practices: How can we recognize stressors without stigmatizing? And what do we need to truly provide good support for everyone?

You can find more information about registration and the program here.

September 30, 2026, 5:00 p.m.
to 6:00 p.m. Ms. Gaby Schmidt, Research and Teaching Unit for Midwifery Science, MHH “Basic Beliefs
of Pregnant Women in Germany Regarding Childbirth – Validation of the German Version of the Birth Beliefs Scale”
MS Teams Link (Meeting ID: 332 271 811 042 295, Passcode: cq7BY6Ez)

If you have any questions, please contact hebammenwissenschaft@mh-hannover.de.
 

The German Midwives Journal Conference will take place on September 25–26 at the HCC:

There will be 13 expert presentations, 2 team-building games, a large trade exhibition, and plenty of time for networking.

Here are a few highlights: 

“Between Forensics, Science, and Ideology – What Do the Experts Say?”

“Strengthening Physiology! Even in Level 1 Hospitals”

“Presentations on emergencies during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period”

“Reflection: ‘Midwife – a women’s profession?’”

The early bird discount is valid until May 31.  

For more information, the program, and registration, visit DHZCongress | The Midwifery Congress 2026

About 15 percent of mothers and 5 percent of fathers develop depression during pregnancy. If left untreated, this can lead to difficulties in caring for the child, attachment disorders, or even neglect and abuse.

“UPlusE” aims to establish an app-based screening tool for the early detection of depressive symptoms, psychosocial stress, and problems in the parent-child relationship. Both (expectant) mothers and fathers will be surveyed regularly at the end of pregnancy and during the child’s first year of life. These surveys will be coordinated with prenatal checkups at the gynecologist’s office or well-child visits at the pediatrician’s office. Based on this data, tailored support services will be provided to those affected.

This training program builds on the symposium on mental health surrounding childbirth and is offered in cooperation with Early Intervention Services.

Registration is available directly through the website.

Mothers accomplish an enormous amount every day, yet their own health and self-care often fall by the wayside. When does normal exhaustion turn into clinically significant parental burnout? And what can be done about it?

Claudia Kirsch, scientific director of the Family Health Research Network in the Medical Sociology Research and Teaching Unit at MHH, examines the stressors faced by mothers and explains why parental self-care is not a luxury but a necessity. The latest scientific findings on the clinical relevance of parental burnout will be examined to develop strategies for promoting mothers’ mental health.

More information on registration and the program can be found here.

Are you looking for professional training that creates knowledge and is fun? Would you like to keep your knowledge about birth, pregnancy, the postpartum period and breastfeeding up to date?

The Staude Academy offers a wide range of training opportunities for midwives -
as online training, group training in person or relaxed days during the seminar week on Sylt - midwives will find the right topics here.

Take a look right now: www.staude-akademie.de and find out about the current training courses on offer.

If you are interested in online training or in-house training for your team, your quality circle or a relaxed group together for a training course, the Staude Academy offers individual courses. Enquire now!
akademie@staudeverlag.de
Phone: 0511-5153500

The homepage of the campaign office "Gesundheit rund um die Geburt" offers a good overview of various offers and events relating to pregnancy, birth and the first time with a baby throughout Lower Saxony.

https://www.gesundheit-rund-um-die-geburt-nds.de/

For safe and woman-centered care and support - so that life gets off to a good start.