Birth number in the EN circle at record low: What does that mean for mothers?

Birth number in the EN circle at record low: What does that mean for mothers?

Hattingen/Sprockhövel/EN circle. This development not only affects family planning, but also on the financial support services for expectant mothers.

The current evaluation of the AOK Nord-West shows that only 2547 children were born in 2023, which has been the lowest level since 2014. These declines cannot be ignored and have a direct impact on the expenditure on maternity allowance. The number of maternity allowance paid was dropped from 367 in the previous year to 334. In view of these figures, it also becomes clear that the financial services of the AOK Nord-West, which was almost 480,000 euros this year, will also be far lower compared to the approximately 539,000 euros in 2022.

The importance of maternity benefit

maternity allowance plays a crucial role for many women who are dependent on financial support at the moment of birth. "Maternity allowance is an important financial support for expectant mothers. This service is paid by the statutory health insurance companies as a fee rate benefit during statutory maternity protection," explains Jörg Kock, AOK Service Region Manager. The legal regulation stipulates that expectant mothers receive up to 13 euros per calendar day, whereby a grant can be added by the employer in higher incomes to secure the previous income.

maternity allowance is paid during the protective periods that apply six weeks before and eight weeks after delivery. For multiple or premature births, this period can extend to up to twelve weeks. This is particularly important for women who may experience additional challenges during their pregnancy or after birth.

effects on medical support

In addition to maternity allowance, statutory health insurance companies also cover the costs for preventive medical services. These include medical routine appointments, preventive examinations and the support from midwives during and after pregnancy. According to Kock, there are also regulations under which women are entitled to domestic help if they have to stay in the hospital for birth or complications and the household cannot be continued.

The demographic changes in the region raise questions. What could be the reasons for this decline? With the numerous challenges with which young parents are confronted today, it is important that society has the necessary support systems in order to offer a stable basis for coming generations.

The AOK Nord-West has caused an important finding through the figures shown, and it remains to be seen how both society and politics will react to these developments.

For more information about the current situation in Hattingen and Sprockhövel, the AOK Nord-West has published extensive reports, which also explain the detailed financial support for young families. Interested readers can be more about it in an article on www.waz.de read.