Pregnancy

Pregnancy

Which research is done in the Netherlands while pregnant? When is my first scan? What to expect from midwifery care in Amsterdam? How about what to eat and what to avoid? Read reliable information about being pregnant in the Netherlands to become completely comfortable in your pregnancy.

Are you worried about your health or the health of your unborn baby? Please let us know, this can be at your next appointment, but if it’s urgent, don’t hesitate to call the practice or the midwife on call.

Midwifery system in the Netherlands

Midwifery structure in the Netherlands might differ from what you are used to in your home country.
In the Netherlands, maternity care is organised in a so called primary, secondary and tertiary care model. The primary care, for low-risk women, is formed by midwives. The secondary care consists of obstetricians and specialised ‘clinical’ midwives in general hospitals and the tertiary care comprises obstetricians in academic hospitals.

 

Healthy pregnancy & risk selection

Risk selection, a clear distribution of tasks and a close mutual co-operation between these different strata forms the strength of the Dutch system.
The principle idea is that a healthy woman with a healthy pregnancy (low-risk) is best taken care of by a midwife. This minimises her chances of receiving an unnecessary intervention of any kind, gives her a high standard of care.
The midwife guiding a woman through her pregnancy, birth and postnatal period is autonomous in her actions and decisions.
Emphasis is placed on natural processes, with intervention only occurring when a problem arises. In this case we will consult or refer you to an obstetrician.

We work closely together with all hospitals in and around Amsterdam.

Finances & insurance

We have several contracts with different health care insurers. Everyone who is registered living in the Netherlands will need to medically insure themselves for the minimum of standard care; midwifery care is included in this package. Children are covered free of charge until the age of eighteen.
If our care is only given for part of the pregnancy, due to, for example, a miscarriage, change of midwife or referral to secondary care, only that part of the pregnancy can be claimed under the health insurance. There are fixed prices for several durations of care. The price for natal care is always the same, no matter how long the birth takes, at home or in a hospital, or whether you stay under our care or if you are referred to an obstetrician during labour.

The following amounts are covered by insurance (2020):
Antenatal € 556,05
Natal € 608,65
Postnatal € 338,14
Total: € 1.502,84

Pregnancy checkups

Your roadmap to a healthy pregnancy

Nutrition & lifestyle

During pregnancy it is important to continue to eat a healthy balanced diet and have healthy lifestyle. Read more.

To do list

Read more about things to arrange per trimester.

Preparation courses

At Verloskundigen 101 we organise information sessions on various subjects (for the time being via Zoom). We consider providing information to be important and we also enjoy to educate you! Read more

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Kraamzorg

This is the postnatal care provided by a maternity assistent (kraamverzorgster) at home in the 8 days following your delivery.  There are a lot of kraamzorg offices to sign up with. Read more.

Pregnancy complaints

Tips & tricks for most common pregnancy ailments.

Pregnant & work

When do you need to tell you’re pregnant at work? Are you allowed to visit the midwife during working hours? And should you take precautions at work while you are pregnant? As a pregnant you will have to deal with rights and obligations at work. Read more.

Miscarriage

Sometimes a pregnancy ends in a different way than you had hoped or expected. Twenty percent of all pregnant women experience bleeding in the first 16 weeks of pregnancy. Read more about the signs of an miscarriage.

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Folders & links

Find all folders & links here, nicely sorted per trimester.