PERSONAL
I grew up in a large family in Upper Austria. After several years in early childhood and family education, I moved my life to Vienna to study midwifery. Since successfully completing my studies, I have been working in the clinical field in the delivery room and also bring my up-to-date obstetric experience to outpatient care as a freelance midwife at the malacht medical center.
TRAINING
My professional foundation is based on state-recognized training paths in pediatric, educational, and obstetric fields:
- Midwifery Sciences: Studied Midwifery at the University of Applied Sciences in Vienna, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Health Studies (BSc).
- Early Childhood Education: Comprehensive training as an early childhood educator (completed 2014) followed by international practice in a pediatric aid project in Uganda.
- Specialized Advanced Training: Completed the basic seminar for internationally certified lactation consulting (IBCLC) in 2024 for in-depth support with breastfeeding and nutritional questions.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
My clinical and extramural career ensures comprehensive familiarity with the different structures of the Austrian healthcare system:
Clinical and Out-of-Hospital Obstetrics
As part of clinical rotations and freelance collaborations, Maria Hager gained extensive practical experience in leading Viennese and Upper Austrian institutions:
- St. Josef Hospital Vienna: Attending births at one of Austria’s largest obstetric departments with an integrated parent-child center.
- Midwifery Center Vienna & Extramural Area: Collaboration with freelance midwives in prenatal care and postpartum confinement care directly in families’ homes.
- Clinical Employment: Since September 2025, permanent employment as a midwife in the delivery room of the Mistelbach State Hospital, ensuring continuous practice in the management of births and obstetric situations.
Pedagogical Leadership and Family Support
Between 2015 and 2022, I was active in various educational institutions in Upper Austria. My activities included positions as a kindergarten teacher, specialized family educator, as well as the administrative and professional management of a kindergarten. These experiences provided me with sound advisory expertise in questions of early childhood development.
Range of Services
The outpatient midwifery services at the malacht medical center include preventive care, structured counseling, and specific courses for preparation and aftercare.
Prenatal Care and Counseling
- Parent-Child Pass Midwife Consultation: Conducting the legally mandated consultation between the 18th and 22nd week of pregnancy. This service is 100% covered by health insurance for pregnant women.
- Prenatal Care: Supplementary midwifery care for monitoring the physiological course of pregnancy, fetal position, and maternal vital parameters.
- Childbirth Preparation Course: Individual, three-hour one-on-one course for theoretical and practical preparation for the birth process, breathing techniques, and the first period with the newborn.
- Breastfeeding Preparation Course: Focused one-on-one course (1.5 hours) for establishing a complication-free start to breastfeeding, preventing breastfeeding problems, and understanding early sucking behavior.
Postpartum Care and Parental Counseling
- Midwife Consultation: Professional advice on complex issues in the first year of life, including:
- Breastfeeding difficulties, sore nipples, and milk engorgement
- Delayed or insufficient weight gain in infants
- Structured support for weaning or introducing complementary foods
- Counseling for regulatory disorders (e.g., persistent crying, sleep difficulties)
- Baby Massage: Individual guidance to promote sensory development, strengthen bonding, and alleviate infantile colic.
- Postpartum Recovery: Targeted individual training for anatomically correct strengthening of the pelvic floor and deep abdominal muscles after childbirth.
Legal and Organizational Information on Fees
The midwifery practice operates as a freelance midwifery practice. Apart from the midwife consultation within the framework of the Parent-Child Pass (18th–22nd week of pregnancy), which is a direct health insurance benefit, most outpatient midwifery services are to be paid privately.
Pregnant women and parents are advised to check in advance with their private health insurance, supplementary insurance, or the responsible statutory insurance provider regarding the exact extent of partial or full cost reimbursement.
It matters how we are born