A growing number of expectant mothers in Austria are opting for a “Blessingway” – a ceremony that differs from the traditional baby shower by centering the mother, rather than the baby, and employing rituals intended to bolster her strength for childbirth. These rituals can range from decorating the pregnant belly with body paint to participants drumming on percussion instruments, or even lengthy recitations of a Chilean canon invoking healing spirits.
The Blessingway, often described as an alternative to the baby shower, originated with Navajo traditions in the United States. It focuses on celebrating the woman’s transition into motherhood, honoring femininity and fertility, and empowering her with confidence for labor and life as a mother, according to Mamanamaste.de, a German website dedicated to pregnancy and motherhood.
The rise in popularity of Blessingways coincides with a broader trend of increased support for expectant mothers, including the growing presence of doulas – trained professionals who provide emotional and physical support during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum. Austria’s Doula Collective currently counts around 350 members, with the Steiermark-based association “Doulas in Austria” listing 240 members across the country, according to sources.
Stephanie Johne, a full-time doula operating under the moniker “Warrior Woman,” has accompanied over 200 women through pregnancy and childbirth. She notes a shift in the financial landscape of doula services. What once cost around €350 for comprehensive support now ranges from €1,390 for a basic package to €2,290 for a more extensive offering that includes birth preparation, continuous support during labor, and postpartum care. “It’s a luxury service,” Johne acknowledges, but frames the cost in comparison to other significant life events, such as weddings or high-end baby products.
The affordability of these services is a point of contention. Ines Grössenberger, a representative for women’s policy at the Arbeiterkammer Salzburg, suggests that the demand for such services is driven by societal expectations and affluence. “Needs are being created that might not even exist if they weren’t being highlighted,” she stated.
While the Austrian healthcare system provides comprehensive medical care for pregnant women, including ultrasounds and pelvic floor training, services like doulas and Blessingway ceremonies are not covered by the Österreichische Gesundheitskasse (ÖGK) due to a lack of recognized professional qualifications. Despite this, many families are willing to pay privately for additional support.
The Wiener Privatklinik Goldenes Kreuz charges approximately €2,800 for a five-day stay in a two-bed room, with additional costs for optional services. Wahlhebamme (independent midwives) also command fees of around €2,000 for their services, even though public healthcare provides free midwifery care.
Johne attributes the increasing demand for personalized birth support to a perceived shift in the medical system, where births are becoming increasingly centralized in larger hospitals and the focus on individual care may be diminishing. The recent closure of the maternity ward at Klinik Hietzing in Vienna and the consolidation of births at the Feldkirch hospital in Vorarlberg are cited as examples of this trend.
Martina Koll-Braun, a Wahlhebamme in Vienna, acknowledges the value of additional emotional support, stating that while the psychological and physiological aspects of birth are covered in midwifery training, the demands of the public healthcare system often limit the time available for individualized attention. Her home birth package costs €3,100 and includes continuous support from two midwives.
Doula Katalin Kardos offers a more spiritual approach, providing energetic connection between mothers and their babies. A Blessingway ceremony with Kardos costs €550, while comprehensive pregnancy support is priced at €3,330. She emphasizes the importance of openness to these practices, stating, “It is very high-quality what I do.”
