Oops Parents

About Oops Parents

For the international parents in Germany who have a hundred questions and don't know who to ask. A videocast and content series with expert voices and parent stories. Messy, honest, practical.

Publisher

Oops Parents

Category

kids & family

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

16 Jun 2026

Latest episode

23 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

13 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   23 Oct 2026

   S1 E13 | Do I really need a doula? Birth and postpartum support

   Do I really need a doula? In this episode of Oops Parents, we sit down with Shanay, also known as Shanay the Doula. She’s an internationally certified, English-speaking doula in Berlin, and we asked her what a doula actually does and how that support differs from a Hebamme (midwife) in Germany.She describes herself as “a professional friend who knows a lot about birth”, and in the postpartum weeks, as a mother-in-law without the emotional baggage. We loved both of these expressions because they are comforting. We talk about: What a doula does before, during and after birth Doula or Hebamme? Or both? Full-spectrum, birth, postpartum and night doulas What doulas can and cannot do What a birth with a doula looks like, from the first call to the hospital Postpartum support when your family lives far away Krankenkasse coverage: what’s privately paid and what can be covered How to find a doula in Berlin We never imagined a doula could be such a comforting presence for new parents. If you’re pregnant, planning a family or simply curious, this conversation might change how you think about birth support.🤍 Find Shanay Instagram: @shanaythedoulaWebsite: www.shanaythedoula.comPostpartum agency: www.carehausberlin.de🎧 Oops Parents is a videocast for international parents navigating pregnancy, postpartum and parenting life in Germany, hosted by Gülşah and Duygu.Instagram: @oopsparentsTikTok: @oopsparentsWebsite: www.oopsparents.comSpotify/Apple Podcasts: @oopsparentsWhat’s your biggest question about doulas?And the answer to the question? There’s no right one. Just the one that fits you.

2. 

   6 Oct 2026

   S1 E11 | Amal's work beyond herself: Strengthening Afrodiasporic communities & belonging in Germany

   Children of the diaspora in Germany are told who they are before they get to say it themselves. Amal Abbass is helping them, and their families, answer first. She is building something bigger than herself: places where Black and Afrodiasporic children and families This week, we sat down with Amal: an author, educator, activist, therapist, and mom. Raised in Dresden in a Sudanese family, she founded Kindezi, a Kita and curriculum she developed around African and Afrodiasporic stories, languages, and values, bringing them into schools and Kitas. She also co-founded the Tubman Network, a Berlin-based grassroots organization supporting people forced to flee war and persecution, as well as people affected by systemic racism and displacement. And she received the Berlin Frauenpreis in 2023.We talked about: the experiences that shaped her activism Kindezi - Afrocentric education: Black history taught through storytelling and learning by doing how to equip your kids to stand up against racism, and why treating everybody the same isn't enough dual heritage: why you're never "half" of anything the rise of the far right and why some families are already leaving family reunification is not easy for everyone where and how we can stand together with Black communities How to connect with Amal Follow Amal: @amalabbasssaal Her organizations: kindezi.de (https://kindezi.de/) | tubman.network (https://tubman.network/) Meet her community at the Youth Circle, an intergenerational space centering the experiences of children of African and Afro-diasporic heritage and their families: 11 October & 25 October 2026, 15:00 to 17:30 at Die Gelbe Villa (https://die-gelbe-villa.de/) Amal's books: https://totosbooks.de/shop To show solidarity and get involved in the activism, check the organization she mentioned at the end of the video: neue-deutsche-organisationen.de Oops Parents Oops Parents is a videocast and content series for international parents navigating pregnancy and parenthood in Germany. Honest, practical, and a little chaotic in the best way. Instagram: @oopsparents Youtube: @oopsparents TikTok: @oopsparents Spotify: @oopsparents Apple Podcasts: @oopsparents Join our newsletter: www.oopsparents.com

3. 

   29 Sept 2026

   S2 E02 | Parenting between the cultures: Becoming a parent doesn't go to plan

   Can't find a Hebamme? Had to switch gynecologist? No time to search for a Kita? Nigora Isamiddin shares her honest experience of pregnancy in Berlin as an international parent, and why it's okay when becoming a parent doesn't go to plan.Nigora had a plan for everything: find a midwife (Hebamme), change a gynecologist, choose a birth hospital, secure a Kita spot where she wanted. Almost none of it went the way she imagined. In this conversation, she opens up about navigating pregnancy in Germany, letting go of the pressure to get everything right, and growing into parenthood alongside her child.Through pregnancy and beyond, Nigora also started a whole new chapter as an entrepreneur. She and her partner took over Jupiter Hub Berlin, and together with her friend she's building Al Qadr, a cultural platform and digital concept store celebrating heritage and home, wherever that is.In this episode: Hear Nigora's journey to parenting Finding a Hebamme in Berlin when every midwife is booked Changing doctors during pregnancy in Germany The Kita search and what happens when you run out of time Parenthood, identity, and letting go of the perfect plan Building businesses during pregnancy and after birth Follow Nigora:Instagram: @nigossiaJupiter Hub Berlin: @jupiterhub.berlinal Qadr: https://www.alqadr.co (https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUZZTVljRkxldEtYbHVUMXpFZTlmOC1BcjZrOHxBTl9pYzRjak41Nm5nRC1ZbE1vRm1HdXF2WWVIRzRWWUdtZEU1WlNkSUgtcUFyalVEUUpiYlNnNV9sRUw3a2FWb0dhQ05yb0VQNVoyMGNwYjRwSU1IWmJBUXB4ajJGTVFqZWxV&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.alqadr.co%2F&v=KqJzljdluZU)About Oops Parents:Oops Parents is a Berlin-based videocast for international parents, covering pregnancy, postpartum, and parenting life in Germany. Honest stories, expert guests, and the moments nobody prepares you for.Instagram: @oopsparentsListen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts: @oopsparentsNewsletter: www.oopsparents.com

4. 

   22 Sept 2026

   S2 E01 | Parenting between the cultures: Making Berlin home with Mum in Berlin

   She moved to Berlin not knowing anyone, and ten years later, she's the person more than 50K parents turn to for where to take their kids. We're opening Season 2 with Paulina, part-time engineer, part-time content creator, full-time mom of three, who moved to Berlin from Poland over 10 years ago and fell in love with the city enough to start sharing it with other parents. We talked about: Her move from Poland to Berlin, and how it became home Raising three kids while working and building a content platform Mum in Berlin: her account for exploring the city and Germany with kids Her ADHD diagnosis, what she felt and the tricks that actually help- Gymnasium vs. ISS: Germany's school system after Grundschule Juggling it all as an international mom in Berlin, and her insights on the German system, from schooling to healthcare Her message: don't put so much pressure on yourself; the water finds its way. Follow Paulina: @mum_in_berlin | mum-in-berlin.com ------- Oops Parents is a videocast and content series for international parents navigating pregnancy and parenthood in Germany. Honest, practical, and a little chaotic in the best way. Instagram: @oopsparents Youtube: @oopsparents TikTok: @oopsparents Spotify: @oopsparents Apple Podcasts: @oopsparents Join our newsletter: www.oopsparents.com

5. 

   18 Aug 2026

   S1 E08 | Hande | Parenting between cultures: Raising multilingual kids

   My bilingual kid mixing German, Turkish, English in the same sentence and is that a problem or a sign it's working?This week we sat down with Hande Demirtaş, product designer, mom of two, and founder of Logoyo Mini which is a new app built with Berlin universities to help multilingual kids find their voice with confidence.We talked about: why mixing languages is actually a good sign, not a delay the Logopädie (speech therapy) waitlist reality — and the wild stat that 70% of kids referred aren't there for a disorder, they're there because they're multilingual the moment she called an ambulance for her son's febrile seizure and couldn't explain what was happening in German how "panicking parent" mode helps nobody, and what actually helps instead why the home language is the emotion language, and why that matters more than perfect grammar Join Hande's project: https://logoyo-mini.com (https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUM4Zm9rUzFMT195WTNTTEpXWEVZLU5ZNEN1QnxBR3JiS2FtVnVGTG9mWWtSUGxuZmphS3RQZi1LQldvZDZwMVd5Y3ZFeHZTMnFwWXBuZkhiNzZvU0dqY1htWUZmaUxxTlFSMFpmQjdSWW1MaERVZE5BTjVpcE5zeVIybWVxM1p0&q=https%3A%2F%2Flogoyo-mini.com%2F&v=S5DGpSlhMa4) and follow the developments @logoyo_miniIf you're raising a kid between languages in Berlin, you are not the only one.🎧 Also on Spotify and Apple Podcasts @oopsparents📩 www.oopsparents.comSubscribe for @oopsparents for the rest of the story

6. 

   11 Aug 2026

   S1 E07 | Parenting between the cultures: From solo IVF to finding home in Berlin

   In this episode, we sit down with Danielle Elliot, an American freelance journalist and solo mom by choice who did IVF on her own.Danielle went through IVF in the US without a partner. When her baby was still small, she started traveling with her and her journalist instincts kicked in. Along the way she ended up researching IVF and fertility laws country by country, learning firsthand how differently the world treats women trying to become mothers alone. After all that travel, she's now looking to settle in Berlin.In this episode we talk about:- Choosing to become a solo mom and doing IVF alone- What she learned researching IVF access and donor laws across different countries- Which countries make solo motherhood easier, and which ones make it nearly impossible- Traveling with a baby and building a life on the move- Why she's chosen Berlin as the next place to put down rootsDanielle's Instagram: @shesalwayssomewhereOops Parents is a videocast and content series for international parents navigating pregnancy and parenthood in Germany. Honest, practical, and a little chaotic in the best way.Join our newsletter: www.oopsparents.comInstagram: @oopsparentsTikTok: @oopsparentsSpotify: @oopsparentsApple Podcasts: @oopsparents

7. 

   4 Aug 2026

   S1 E06 - Part 2 I Nele I Your baby's first year in Germany: A pediatrician's practical advices

   In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Nela Marie Peters, a Berlin-based pediatrician with over 11 years of experience and mom of a toddler. If you're expecting a baby in Germany or recently became a parent, this conversation will save you hours of confusion and maybe a few sleepless nights. For real! Whether you're an international parent trying to understand Germany's healthcare system or simply looking for practical advice from a pediatrician, this episode is for you. In this episode we talk about: How to find a pediatrician in Germany (and why you should do it before birth) Your baby's first-year screening and vaccination schedule What every parent should know before leaving the hospital The biggest myths about fever and when you should actually worry Is my baby eating enough? How pediatricians know Weight gain, breastfeeding, formula, and common newborn concerns The questions parents ask pediatricians most often How Germany's pediatric healthcare system works for international families Nele’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fragdrnele/Nele’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@fragdrnele To connect with Nele (you can write in English): https://drnelemariepeters.simplybook.... (https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUM4Zm9rU0NJMEk5UzVjS2RSNlVqWE1sblA4M3xBR3JiS2FuclhaMlBpN0k5YjFORlB1dmprSGFmRDRXZV9mWTZTRGJUNzZ4NFI3bGo0SUYyb0FGWlFldndJdGxVS0dabVFKS0JNbzFjeEtXLUpWMVBpTDBidzB1M3JwbUhqWGNZ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fdrnelemariepeters.simplybook.it%2Fv2%2F&v=C2o6rbvifZ8) Her book (in German): https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0C29783FY?r... (https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUM4Zm9rVENjNzh4U0s3U2tGWkRvM3oyVzBaSHxBR3JiS2FrVjdycWFheFRydFpuNTJJMk1wM3oxaUx0SXUwX3VKOHJCLXAxMTBKMHhwVF9wQ3VJVGhJNjFodVFwWnEyd1VXc0VIaFI4VEd1VVFIZ3ZKaUNUMHM1c2J5MGI4bU9h&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.de%2Fdp%2FB0C29783FY%3Fref_%3Dcm_sw_r_apin_dp_6P5CAQSPBS443WC8EE9B%26fbclid%3DPAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPOTM2NjE5NzQzMzkyNDU5AAGnhzDayyc5sdDhGEejfWCw7VJjRN3_zRbqRCWksvSsAoUlU03_9egntzrbGTE_aem_AVoQJStx-HwTs41ANy9Apw%26utm_content%3Dlink_in_bio%26utm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dig&v=C2o6rbvifZ8) ------------------------------- Oops Parents is a videocast and content series for international parents navigating pregnancy and parenthood in Germany. Honest, practical, and a little chaotic in the best way. Join our newsletter: http://www.oopsparents.com (https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUM4Zm9rVEE4T3VaRFQ0cHhfNmUyNTl4dEYxUHxBR3JiS2FsT2M0VTRpWnpiLW1WVTNEV3FldHF0ZHRNRXItbHNYaHF6Zm54dlFGVU10ZU8yd3U1OTY5cE5hU3dMdnJzVGZQT0FiR09kb1ZlZU5pWVVnOTRVUzF4YmZnd3hLSFJL&q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.oopsparents.com%2F&v=C2o6rbvifZ8) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oopsparents/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OopsParents Apple Podcasts: @oopsparents TikTok: @oopsparents

8. 

   28 Jul 2026

   S1 E06 - Part 1 I Nele I Your baby's first year in Germany: A pediatrician's practical advices

   In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Nela Marie Peters, a Berlin-based pediatrician with over 11 years of experience and mom of a toddler.If you're expecting a baby in Germany or recently became a parent, this conversation will save you hours of confusion and maybe a few sleepless nights. For real! Whether you're an international parent trying to understand Germany's healthcare system or simply looking for practical advice from a pediatrician, this episode is for you. In this episode we talk about:• How to find a pediatrician in Germany (and why you should do it before birth)• Your baby's first-year screening and vaccination schedule• What every parent should know before leaving the hospital• The biggest myths about fever and when you should actually worry• Is my baby eating enough? How pediatricians know• Weight gain, breastfeeding, formula, and common newborn concerns• The questions parents ask pediatricians most often• How Germany's pediatric healthcare system works for international familiesNele’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fragdrnele/Nele’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@fragdrneleTo connect with Nele (you can write in English): https://drnelemariepeters.simplybook.it/v2/Her book (in German): https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0C29783FY?ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_dp_6P5CAQSPBS443WC8EE9B&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPOTM2NjE5NzQzMzkyNDU5AAGnhzDayyc5sdDhGEejfWCw7VJjRN3_zRbqRCWksvSsAoUlU03_9egntzrbGTE_aem_AVoQJStx-HwTs41ANy9Apw&utm_content=link_in_bio&utm_medium=social&utm_source=ig---Oops Parents is a videocast and content series for international parents navigating pregnancy and parenthood in Germany. Honest, practical, and a little chaotic in the best way.Join our newsletter: [www.oopsparents.com](http://www.oopsparents.com)Instagram: @oopsparentsSpotify: @oopsparentsApple Podcasts: @oopsparentsTikTok: @oopsparents

9. 

   21 Jul 2026

   S1 E05 I Lauren | Parenting between the cultures: Seeing Berlin through a kid's lens

   In this episode, we sit down with Lauren Kelleher, an American mom, music educator, and the creator of Berlin Baby Explorer. Before making Berlin her home, Lauren lived in different cities across the U.S. and around the world, including Ghana and Japan. And she chose the city as the place where she gave birth to and is raising her son, Levi.In this episode we talk about: • Moving around the world and why Lauren chose Berlin to start her family • What Berlin offers families and why it’s a great place to raise kids • Her pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experience in Berlin• Raising a bilingual child and navigating multiple cultures • The challenges and joys of parenting without extended family nearby • How Berlin Baby Explorer was born and became a resource for parents • Building an international parent community in Berlin • Lauren’s favorite kid-friendly spots around Berlin • Indoor spots for those days when Berlin forgets it’s supposed to be summer 😄 Lauren's instagram: @berlinbabyexplorer ----------------------------------------------------------------------Oops Parents is a videocast and content series for international parents navigating pregnancy and parenthood in Germany. Honest, practical, and a little chaotic in the best way. Join our newsletter: www.oopsparents.com Instagram: @oopsparents TikTok: @oopsparents Apple Podcasts: @oopsparents

10. 

    14 Jul 2026

    S1 E04 I Sari | Parenting between the cultures: Elterngeld & kita application as unmarried parent

    In this episode, we sat down with Sari Torbiörnsson. She is a music supervisor from Sweden, raising her daughter in Berlin with her partner from Croatia. Neither of them is German. Neither of them is married to the other. And both of them had to learn Germany's parenting bureaucracy from scratch starting with: Vaterschaftsanerkennung (paternity acknowledgment), before they even got to Elterngeld, Elternzeit, and the Kita application process. In this episode, Sari shares her honest, unfiltered experience of: • Vaterschaftsanerkennung as an unmarried couple: what it is, why it matters, and why doing it before birth saves months of stress • Elterngeld and Elternzeit: missed deadlines, delayed payments, and navigating a system that communicates only by post • The Kita application process and getting a Kitagutschein in Berlin, and why timing your Jugendamt application early matters • What actually helped: family centers (Familienzentrum), midwife (Hebamme) support, and the community of fellow international parents in Berlin • Her honest "Oops" moment as a new parentIf you're an immigrant or expat parent in Germany navigating pregnancy, birth, or early parenthood without family nearby, this episode is for you. You are not the only one. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Oops Parents is a videocast and content series for international parents navigating pregnancy and parenthood in Germany. Honest, practical, and a little chaotic in the best way. Join our newsletter: www.oopsparents.com Instagram: @oopsparents TikTok: @oopsparents Apple Podcasts: @oopsparents

11. 

    7 Jul 2026

    S1 E03 I Ezgi | Parenting between cultures: Miscarriage, NIPT test, giving birth in Turkey & Germany

    In this episode, we sit with Ezgi, engineer and international mom of 2 by now (when we are writing this), who lived across Senegal, Turkey and Germany. She opens up about her miscarriage, a scary false positive NIPT result, the book that helped her understand the pregnancy data, and her birth journey. In this episode we talk about: • What is the NIPT test and how the results are calculated • Trisomy 13, 18, and 21, what a positive result actually means statistically • Why false positives happen, and what to ask your doctor before testingAmniocentesis • Expecting Better by Emily Oster, the book that changed how she understood pregnancy data • Finding a Hebamme in Germany, and why you need to start searching the moment you are pregnant • Birth options in Germany, hospital vs Geburtshaus vs home birth• Giving birth in Turkey vs Germany, insurance, costs, and doctor availability • Feeling alone as an international parent without family nearby Oops Parents is a videocast and content series for international parents navigating pregnancy and parenthood in Germany. Honest, practical, and a little chaotic in the best way. Join our newsletter: www.oopsparents.com Instagram: @oopsparents TikTok: @oopsparents Apple Podcasts: @oopsparents

12. 

    23 Jun 2026

    S1 E02 I Your midwife in Germany: Everything you need to know

    You want to give birth and just found out that you're pregnant in Germany. Congratulations! Now what? In this episode, we sit down with Jutta Wohlrab, a Berlin-based midwife with 40 years of experience working with international families. She breaks down everything you actually need to know: when to start looking for a midwife, what a midwife does that your Frauenarzt doesn't, and why postnatal midwife care in Germany is one of the best-kept secrets in the system. In this episode: - What to do the moment you find out you're pregnant in Germany - How to actually find a midwife (hint: it's not ChatGPT) - The different types of midwives and what each one covers - Home birth vs. birth center vs. hospital. what's really the difference - What insurance covers and what you'll likely pay out of pocket - Why your partner absolutely needs to be in that birth prep class - Hypnobirthing: What it is and why Jutta swears by it - Postnatal care: What a midwife does after birth, and for how long - Postnatal depression: Signs, support, and why silence is the real danger About Jutta Wohlrab:40 years experienced midwife. Public speaker. Jutta has spent her career supporting international families through pregnancy, birth, and the early weeks of parenthood in Berlin. She offers birth preparation courses, Hypnobirthing, and postnatal programs find everything at elementsofbirth.de, in her website or through social media accounts. 🌐 Website: https://elementsofbirth.de/ 📸 Instagram: @juttawohlrab 🎵 TikTok: @MidwifeJuttaWohlrab Check her book Happy Birthing Days (English version): https://www.amazon.de/Jutta-Wohlrab-ebook/dp/B01IX9CSEU?ref_=ast_author_mpb 📍 Useful resources mentioned in the episode: 1. hebamme.de — midwife directory 2. amily.de — midwife booking platform (Jutta has some reservations — she explains why in the episode) 3. Your insurance provider (AOK, DAK, TK or private) — call them for a local midwife list 4. Your gynecologist's office — can also give you a referral list. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Oops Parents is a videocast and content series for international parents navigating pregnancy and parenthood in Germany. Honest, practical, and a little chaotic in the best way. Join our newsletter: www.oopsparents.com Instagram: @oopsparents TikTok: @oopsparents Apple Podcasts: @oopsparents

13. 

    16 Jun 2026

    S1 E01 | Why we started Oops Parents: Pregnancy and Parenthood in Berlin

    Oops Parents is a videocast for international parents and parents-to-be navigating pregnancy, birth, and parenthood in Berlin. In this first episode, co-founders Gülşah and Duygu share why they started Oops Parents, and what's coming next. Every Tuesday, they'll be joined by experts and parents sharing practical and emotional insights on what it really means to raise a family somewhere that isn't your home country. Whether you call yourself an immigrant, expat, or international parent 🫠, you're in the right place.

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2 ratings

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