Anonymous Birth and Baby Hatch

At no point during admission will you be asked to present identification. However, in order to provide you with personalized care and to properly document medical information related to the birth, the hospital does require a name—you are free to choose any name, even an invented one. If you later decide to reveal your identity, all records can be easily updated to reflect your actual details. The same applies to anonymous care before and after childbirth.

All costs for prenatal and postnatal care, the delivery, the hospital stay, and the care of the newborn are fully covered.

You are fully protected by law when choosing anonymous birth—and this protection remains in place for life. Important: This legal protection does not apply if you leave your newborn somewhere unattended, even if done with the hope that someone will find and care for the child. This is considered abandonment ("Kindsweglegung") and is a criminal offense under Austrian law.

As part of an anonymous birth, you have the right to decide whether your child will ever be allowed to know who their mother is — or not.

Anonymous birth is offered at all public hospitals in Styria that have a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. These include:

• University Hospital Graz
• LKH Feldbach-Fürstenfeld
• LKH Hartberg
• LKH Hochsteiermark
• LKH Murtal/Judenburg
• LKH Rottenmann-Bad Aussee/Rottenmann
• LKH Weststeiermark/Deutschlandsberg
• Anonymous birth is also available at the Diakonissen Hospital in Schladming.

After giving birth, you can decide whether you want to place your baby for adoption or not. You have up to six months to reconsider your decision. This means that if you choose to take your baby back during this period, it is still possible. You will receive further information and support at the hospital and through the contact center "Anonymous Birth – Baby Hatch".

The baby hatch is located on the outer wall of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, at Auenbruggerplatz 14, and is accessible 24 hours a day.

The baby hatch opens like a drawer and is designed to feel like a small baby cot. As soon as you place your baby inside, an alarm is triggered at the maternity ward’s care station, alerting midwives and pediatricians that a newborn has been placed there. Your baby will then receive immediate medical care. 
IMPORTANT: The alarm cannot be heard outside. Your anonymity is fully protected.

Inside the baby hatch, you will find a note with a code that you can take with you. If you later decide to take your baby back, this code serves as proof that the baby is yours. You have six months to make this decision. If you do not come forward within this time, the child will be placed for adoption. Until then, your baby will be cared for by foster parents.

The baby hatch at LKH-University Hospital Graz is the only one in Styria. However, if you are unable to travel to Graz, you can also hand over your newborn anonymously at any other public hospital in Styria—at any time—to a doctor, nurse, or midwife. You do not need to show any identification. Midwives are available at all Styrian public hospitals that have a maternity ward, including:

• University Hospital Graz
• LKH Feldbach-Fürstenfeld
• LKH Hartberg
• LKH Hochsteiermark
• LKH Murtal/Judenburg
• LKH Rottenmann-Bad Aussee/Rottenmann
• LKH Weststeiermark/Deutschlandsberg

At LKH-University Hospital Graz, a team of specialized medical professionals is available to ensure your newborn receives the best possible care. Within the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, there is a dedicated unit for premature babies (Clinical Division of Neonatology). Right next to this department is the Pediatric Center of the hospital, where all medical issues concerning children can be treated (Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine and Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Surgery). The LKH Hochsteiermark in Leoben also has its own Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. If you bring your baby to another public hospital in Styria, they will ensure your child is transferred to a pediatric clinic if any health problems are present.