Comprehensive pregnancy care and family support for refugees.
Who we are
Refugee Midwifery Service Austria (RMSA) is a non-profit organisation founded and operated by experienced midwives to provide comprehensive pregnancy care and support for young families with refugee or migration backgrounds. Our service is free of charge, medically qualified, culturally respectful and multi-lingual.
How we help
Comprehensive care
Medically qualified health checks, support groups and more – full pre and post-natal care for refugees and their newborns.
Comprehensive resources
Information and advice on all topics relating to pregnancy and child birth. We also provide medical documentation for easy integration in the Austrian health system.
FREE
Services, resources, care, time, advice, support groups - everything is free of charge for refugees and their babies.
Culturally respectful
We are sensitive to all religious and cultural practices relating to being pregnant and giving birth.
Multi-lingual
Services and resources are available in in English, German, Arabic, Kurdish, Turkish, Farsi, Somali, and Russian.
Strictly confidential
Your privacy is respected from the moment you contact us.
For expecting mothers, by women
Founded and operated by women.
Our midwifery service
Medically qualified. Trustworthy. Multilingual.
What is the Midwifery Service?
The RMSA Midwifery Service is a free program for pregnant women and young mothers. Our experienced midwives provide care during pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period in Tyrol and Upper Austria – medically qualified, culturally sensitive, and individually tailored.
Peer-Power Approach: Trained midwives and interpreters ensure trustworthy and culturally sensitive care in the mother’s own language.
Our services
Check-ups according to the Austrian Mother-Child Passport
Postpartum care including breastfeeding support
Workshops and self-help groups on women’s health
Counseling on the Austrian healthcare system
Referral to specialists for specific questions
Multilingual support (Arabic, Somali, Farsi, French, English, German, Russian)
For whom?
For pregnant women or mothers with refugee or migration backgrounds, as well as families facing language or structural barriers. Specialist services, midwives, or social workers may also refer families to us.
Contact Midwifery Service:
Clarissa Thenner
067652177222, tirol@rmsa.help
Our family support program
Understanding. Trust. Connection.
What is family support?
The Family Support Program is a another free service by RMSA. It is aimed at women and their families, with children up to 3 years old. During this sensitive stage of life, we want to provide orientation, build trust, and prevent social isolation.
Peer-power approach: Our family supporters often share the same language and cultural background as the families they accompany. Through their own experiences of arriving in Austria, they can provide practical help, build trust, and ease access to important services.
Our services
Home visits and support during pregnancy and after birth
Assistance with authorities and medical appointments
Help with accessing healthcare and social services
Support with everyday questions – e.g., filling out childcare applications
Culturally sensitive counseling in the mother’s language
Referrals to specialist services as needed
- Support for up to 1 year
For whom?
For pregnant women or parents with children up to 3 years old who speak Arabic, Kurdish, Farsi, Turkish, or Somali.
Also for counseling centers, midwives, doctors, or social services who wish to refer families.
In cooperation with
Funded by donations as well as the State of Tyrol and the City of Innsbruck.
Family support video
You can help
We need your support to make a difference. If you are able to contribute in any of the following ways, please contact your nearest branch today!
Midwives
We need your help to provide comprehensive care and resources to women in vulnerable situations.
Translators
We need English or German speakers who can speak Russian, Farsi, Somali or Arabic to help ensure clear communication and foster cultural understanding between midwives and refugees.
Written translation
We need English or German speakers who can speak Russian, Farsi, Somali, Kurdish or Arabic to help ensure clear communication and foster cultural understanding between midwives and refugees.
Administrative Support
To spearhead regional branches on and offline and coordinate midwives, translators and resources.
Donors
To provide financial assistance and resources for this much needed service for expecting mothers with refugee backgrounds.
IBAN: AT59 2050 3033 0210 9263
BIC: SPIHAT22XXX
Public Advocacy
To increase our visibility, strengthen our outreach, and encourage donations.
Doctors
We welcome collaboration with doctors who can support us with their expertise, prenatal check-ups, and medical donations.
Online supporters
Don't have the time, skills or resources to help? Simply sharing our service with your friends and family on social media is a huge help!
Contact us
You can find our regional branches or contact our national office at:
tirol@RMSA.help or +43 680 211 2964
Tyrol
Sarah Bestle
Bienerstraße 22/4
6020 Innsbruck
Tel. 0043 680 211 2964
Email tirol@RMSA.help
Upper Austria
Mojdeh Redjaian-Kaltenbach
Lifehaus-Strasse 15
4111 Walding
Tel. 0043 650 375 1255
Email mojdeh.redjaian@gmx.net
RMSA Vorstand
Sarah Bestle
Board Member: Founder, Chairwoman;
0043 680 2112964
heb.s.bestle@gmail.com
www.sarahbestle.at
As the founder and chairwoman of RMSA, I support and coordinate the association’s activities while providing care for women during pregnancy and the postpartum period, together with interpreters.
As a midwife, it is especially important to me to ensure that refugee women receive compassionate and professional care during this significant time in their lives, regardless of their language or cultural background.
Rachelle Miner
Board Member: Cashier, Head of family support;
0043 660 3430861
tirol@rmsa.help
I have been one of RMSA’s long-standing team members and contributors since 2018. Having grown up in Jordan, I bring not only fluent Arabic language skills but also a deep understanding of what connects people across cultures.
Since 2022, I have been leading and coordinating our family support program and serve as the primary contact person for everyone who wishes to access this service. My motivation is rooted in anti-racist advocacy, and what I gain in return are those moments of genuine human connection—when barriers disappear and our shared humanity becomes visible.
Sarah Tapler
Board Member: Secretary;
0043 681 81829900
sarah.buntinsleben@outlook.com
www.hebammen-buntinsleben.at
Since 2024, I have been working as a community-based midwife throughout Tyrol, and since then I have also been supporting women and families through RMSA. Since 2026, I have additionally served on the RMSA board as Secretary.
Through my work, I aim to empower women regardless of their language or cultural background and to place the health and well-being of both mother and child at the center of care in every aspect.
Johanna Barton
Board Member: Chairwoman deputy;
0043 676 9436874
hebammejohannabarton@gmail.com
www.hebammejohanna.at
I greatly value the trauma-informed, culturally sensitive, and feminist principles that guide our organization. Working with the families and women we support is deeply enriching for me, as I find it fascinating to gain insight into different life experiences and learn from one another.
All parents wish to provide a safe and nurturing environment for their children, and I am very happy to support them in achieving this goal.
Flora Walch
Board Member: Cashier deputy;
0043 681 81886749
flora.buntinsleben@outlook.com
www.hebammen-buntinsleben.at
After starting my professional career as a self-employed midwife, I immediately began supporting women and families through RMSA. Since 2026, I have also been serving on the board as Deputy Treasurer, and I am delighted to support this important organization from within as well.
Providing culturally sensitive and empowering care to families from all cultural backgrounds is something I care deeply about. I am grateful to be able to offer this kind of support through RMSA.
Johanna Sengschmid
Honorary Member;
0043 664 6108323
j.sengschmid@gmx.at
www.wirhebammenvonnussdorf.at/johanna
www.diekraftinmir.at