Einsiedeln Regional AMEOS Hospital

Einsiedeln Regional AMEOS Hospital, Spitalstrasse 28, 8840 Einsiedeln. The «baby window» facility at Einsiedeln is a joint project of Einsiedeln Regional Hospital and the Swiss Aid for Mother and Child (SAMC) foundation.

I am at the baby hatch. What do I do now?

The mother arrives at the baby hatch with her child anonymously and opens it.
She lays the infant in the prepared warm crib and takes the "Letter to the Mother". She has brought along a letter for the baby (voluntarily).
She says goodbye to the child, then closes the baby hatch. One last look: Everything okay?
It will all turn out for the best!
The mother leaves the baby hatch. A midwife will be coming soon.
The baby is in safe hands, and the midwife picks him/her up right away. She takes the infant to the maternity ward.
The baby is taken care of right away. He/she is brought to the foster parents in a few days. The natural mother can still reclaim the baby within a period of at least one year.

Anonymity is guaranteed. The process is neither captured on video, nor will any photos of the baby be published. The letter from the mother to her child is kept under lock and key.

What do I have to keep in mind?

When you use the baby window, your baby will be in good hands. Later in life, the child might want to know more about its father and mother. Why not write your child a personal letter? Describe the circumstances which prompted you to give up your child. Send your child on its way with a gesture of love. Place the letter alongside the child in the baby window.

And please remember: even at this stage, you are more than welcome to contact the Swiss Aid for Mother and Child foundation (Tel.0800 811 100, calls are free), to arrange a confidential meeting at which you will be given all the help and advice you need on life together with your child. Please get in touch. We will provide you with help; confidentially and in complete anonymity.

Remember to look after yourself, as well. Giving birth without medical assistance places you at some risk. Why not consult a qualified doctor? If you need to consult a doctor free of charge, please get in touch with the Swiss Aid for Mother and Child foundation. They will provide you with all the help you need.

Where will I be able to find my baby again?

For the first few days, the baby will remain at Einsiedeln Regional AMEOS Hospital where it will receive the best care and attention. Even at this stage, the Kindes- und Erwachsenenschutzbehörde (KESB) will assume overall responsibilty for the child's well-being. It will place the child in the care of experienced, loving foster parents and will begin the search for suitable adoptive parents. As soon as they are found, the baby will move in with its adoptive family.

You are entitled to claim your child back for up to a year after placing it in care. But even after this time has elapsed, up until the child reaches adulthood, the Kindes- und Erwachsenenschutzbehörde will always know where the child can be found.

For more information, contact the Kindes- und Erwachsenenschutzbehörde (KESB) Ausserschwyz, Tel. 041 819 14 60.

Location

Statistics on babies given up

The following babies have passed through the baby window at Einsiedeln:

1.Boy05.09.20022.30 pm 2,640 g49.5 cm
2.Boy11.04.20053.25 am3,700 g52 cm
3.Girl21.08.200511.40 am2,470 g46 cm
4.Girl01.08.20084.20 pm2,470 g46 cm
5.Girl22.01.201010.23 pm1,810 g45 cm
6.Girl05.12.201011.45 am3,150 g51 cm
7.Girl20.02.20125.00 pm2,250 g52 cm
8.Boy16.02.20130.55 pm3,160 g49 cm
9.Boy04.06.201402:15 pm2,880 g47 cm
10.Boy19.02.201504.40 pm3,320 g49 cm
11.Girl18.04.201505.45 pm3,370 g48 cm
12.Girl11.09.201507.11 pm3,060 g50 cm
13.Girl21.07.201601.20 pm3,210 g50.5 cm
14.Girl26.08.201811.24 am2,795 g44 cm