Are you pregnant or thinking of trying for a baby in the Netherlands? This page looks at what you can expect during your pregnancy and from prenatal care in the Netherlands?
Pregnancy tests in the Netherlands
If you think you might be pregnant, you can easily take a home pregnancy test to check. You can buy these a drugstores and pharmacies in the Netherlands for somewhere between 5 and 15 euros. Most home tests have a high accuracy rate.
If you get a positive result on your pregnany test, you can make an appointment with your GP to discuss your pregnancy and receive medical support.
Having a baby in the Netherlands
During your pregnancy in the Netherlands, you will regularly visit either a midwife or a GP who practices obstetrics. However, if you happen to be in need of specialist care during your pregnancy, you will be referred to an obstetrician at a nearby hospital.
Dutch prenatal care
It’s important that you make an appointment with a midwife or an obstetrician as soon as you know you are expecting. If you choose to see a midwife, they will inform your GP about your pregnancy. During your first visit, the following subjects will be discussed:
- Due date
- Previous pregnancies
- Your health and that of your partner
- Your family’s health
- Your personal situation, including your work
Your visit will also include a physical exam. Your blood pressure will be measured, as well as the size of your uterus. Generally, you will meet with your midwife or obstetrician once every four weeks in the first half of your pregnancy. Nearing your due date, this increases to weekly appointments.
At each visit, your midwife or obstetrician will examine:
- Your baby's growth
- The baby's heartbeat
- Your blood pressure
- The baby's position in the uterus
Of course, this also depends on your personal situation. For instance, women who are expecting multiple births will have to go for a check-up more often.
Dutch ultrasound exams (or sonogram/echo exam)
In the Netherlands, health insurance companies usually only reimburse two ultrasounds. You will receive your first ultrasound exam around the 10th week of your pregnancy (also called the termijnecho). The second one will take place around the 20-week mark (aptly called the 20-wekenecho). However, if it’s deemed medically necessary, your midwife may decide you need additional ultrasounds, such as the groeiecho (30 weeks) or the liggingsecho (36 weeks).
Besides the medical ultrasounds, many women in the Netherlands also opt to have a pretecho (fun echo). The pretecho is usually a 3D ultrasound, so you can see the baby clearly.
Blood tests
Your midwife or obstetrician will ask you if you are interested in having a blood test done. This test is entirely optional. The results of this test will tell your doctor your blood group, your Rhesus D- and Rhesus C-blood group, whether your body contains antibodies to foreign blood groups and whether you have been exposed to STDs, such as syphilis, hepatitis B and HIV. The blood test is free of charge.
Screening for congenital conditions
In the Netherlands, it is possible to get a prenatal screening for Down’s syndrome (trisomy 21), Edwards’ syndrome (trisomy 18) and Patau’s syndrome (trisomy 13). This particular screening is usually carried out during the early stages of pregnancy. If you receive an abnormal result, you can choose to have follow up testing (although this may not be covered by your health insurance).
Antenatal classes
Many birth centres and midwife practices in the Netherlands offer pre- and postnatal pregnancy classes, such as childbirth preparation classes, breastfeeding classes, hypnobirthing classes, pregnancy yoga classes and more. Ask your midwife or obstetrician for more information if you are interested in taking such a class.
During a pregnancy or antenatal class, you'll get practical information about what to expect during your pregancy, breastfeeding, and other matters.
The next stages of your pregnancy in the Netherlands
Have you decided where you would like to give birth yet? Find out more about what your options are concerning delivering a baby in the Netherlands. Also, don't forget to read up on kraamzorg, a unique form of postnatal care in the Netherlands.
During your pregnancy, you'll also want to start making arrangements for your maternity leave and maternity pay, parental leave, and perhaps even start looking into daycare arrangements.