There are lots of things to take care of during pregnancy. While many items concern the period after your baby is born you should take the time now to consider your choices and organise a few things.
Maternity assistance
The postpartum assistant helps us during home births and cares for mother and baby after the delivery. She will come to home every day for the first week to care for you and your baby. She will also give you and your partner plenty of support, information and advice while she helps both of you learn how to care for your newborn. She will also take on some of the household chores and duties. Carrying out and recording physical checks in your post-partum file is for ensuring your health and the health of your newborn.
Once you have had your dating ultrasound you can register for postpartum care. We advise you to do this as early as possible, preferably around 12 weeks of pregnancy but no later than 20 weeks. This gives you the best chance of getting the number of hours of postpartum care that you need. Also make sure to inform your health insurance provider.
We have a good and close working relationship with the following postpartum care organisations in our region:
- Kraam & Co
- De Kraamvogel
- Brenda’s Kraamzorg
- Kraamzorg Amstelland, Natasja Koeleman
You are also welcome to choose any other organisation, once you’ve consulted your health insurance provider. More information and contact details can be found on our useful links page under postpartum care.
Acknowledging the child and parental authority
If a couple is unmarried or not in a registered partnership, the man must officially take on paternity by acknowledging the child.
Acknowledgment requires permission from the mother. During pregnancy both parents must appear in person at city hall and sign for the acknowledgement. Make sure that you both take a valid form of identification. It is wise to arrange the acknowledgement before 24 weeks of pregnancy, as all births from 24 weeks must be registered. From the moment of acknowledgement, the child legally has a father, even in the case of preterm birth or if something should happen to the father before the registration of the birth.
You will receive a copy of the acknowledgement to take home. You need to bring it with you when you register the birth.
Acknowledgement of the child and registration of the birth do automatically grant the father parental authority over the child. Parental authority means that the father can also take decisions regarding upbringing and care of the child. Both parents then will be able to control the finances and legal matters for their child.
More information on these matters can be found on the website of the Government (Rijksoverheid).
Work
are pregnant, you are legally protected during pregnancy and in the period you are breastfeeding. Moreover, you must be given the opportunity to visit your midwife or gynaecologist, even during work hours.
Your employer may ask for a pregnancy declaration in order to request maternity leave. Ask us for a copy after your dating ultrasound. Make arrangements with your employer early on regarding possible parental leave and discuss options for cutting down on work after the birth, if so desired.
If your work is demanding or dangerous, your employer is required to adjust your work and potentially give you other work to do. You may discuss this with the company doctor/occupational health and safety service (arbo-dienst) or the Labour Inspectorate.
Different rules apply to you if you are a freelancer or unemployed. Freelancers apply for a benefit through the UWV. Consult the UWV website for more information.
More information about work and safety while pregnant can be found on the RIVM website. Information about laws and regulations concerning maternity leave can be found on the website of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment (Ministerie van Sociale zaken) and Rijksoverheid.
Childcare
If you are planning to return to work after your baby is born, it is important to arrange childcare early on. Register as soon as possible with a day care or childminder agency as these often have long waiting lists. Check the Rijksoverheid website for more information about childcare allowance.
Prenatal course
Preparing for the birth of your child by taking a prenatal course can be very informative and fun. You can take a group or private class, alone or with your partner. Some are very active and others more relaxed, in the park or at a yoga studio, in Dutch or English. There are plenty of options!
Especially if you are expecting your first baby, you will gain a lot of knowledge in one of these courses. If it’s not your first baby, a course can give you a welcoming and relaxing feeling as you brush op on your knowledge.
More information about the courses, including links and contact information, can be found by the useful links under courses.
Mothers for mothers
About one in six couples has problems with infertility. A fertility treatment can increase the chances of becoming pregnant.
Pregnant women produce large amounts of the pregnancy hormone hCG during the first four months of pregnancy. Most of this hormone is discharged by the body via the urine. This hormone is used to produce medication that is often used in fertility treatments. Moeders voor Moeders collects the urine of pregnant women.
Do you want to have more information or register? Marjolein Jansen is our contact person in the area. You can call or mail her. Or visit https://www.moedersvoormoeders.nl/
