Midwifery Practice Kleverpark Haarlem

Pregnant! Overjoyed, startled, disbelief? Do you live in Haarlem, Heemstede, Santpoort, Bloemendaal, Overveen, Aerdenhout or Zandvoort; then we would like to guide you during your pregnancy, labour and the postnatal period.
We work from a clear vision and will integrate yours in our plan of care.

Our responsibility is to create tailor-made midwifery care

In the Netherlands, midwives provide care during pregnancy, labour and the postnatal period. Providing you have no complications you can choose to give birth under our care at home or in the hospital. Obstetricians in the hospital provide care in case of complications.
Our team at the Verloskundigenpraktijk Kleverpark consists of four midwives who provide a complete range of medical care and emotional support during this important part of your life.
If necessary or desirable, we can refer and/or sign post you to our partners: obstetricians, antenatal classes, (pelvic) physiotherapy, extended postnatal care, lactation consultant, massages, counselling

We also provide essential and elective ultrasound scans (USS).
In addition, we offer contraceptive care, and pre-conceptive care to help you prepare for your pregnancy.

Intake appointment, first ultrasound.

When you register with us, our assistant schedules the first appointment and a dating scan at around eight weeks of pregnancy. If necessary or desired, you can also plan a viability scan at this point. 

During the intake interview we ask about your health and that of your partner. We also want to know whether there are genetic issues and/or birth defects in both families. Previous pregnancies, obstetric history, medical history and mental health history are important parts of this interview. We discuss lifestyle and give nutritional advice. If desired, we will provide you with information about antenatal screening. You will receive information leaflets and forms for routine blood tests. Finally, we tell you about the most important practical matters regarding how we are organised and how we can be contacted. Naturally, we take plenty of time for all your questions.

In summary, what you need to do/know now:

  • Before the intake appointment, read about the possibilities for prenatal screening on https://www.pns.nl/node/3541 
  • The advice is to take 400 micrograms of folic acid per day for the first 10 weeks of pregnancy.
  • Alcohol, passive smoking, smoking and drugs have a negative effect on pregnancy and the baby; the advice is to quit those habits completely.
  • If you take regular medication and/or are you under care of a medical specialist it is important to discuss the implications of this for your pregnancy, with them. Pregnancy may require adjusting your treatment. Inform us as soon as possible of the type of medication and dosage that you are taking.
  • For nutritional advice visit: https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/have-a-healthy-diet

What else to arrange during your pregnancy?

Maternity Care

The Dutch healthcare system provides an established system of maternity care during the post-natal period, covered almost fully by most health care insurances. This must be arranged soon after the dating ultrasound scan.  A maternity care assistant will provide support at your home for the first 8-10 days. She does medical checks, gives guidance with breast and bottle feeding and performs some light household tasks. As midwives, we feel responsible for your well-being and want to ensure that you are prepared and confident to enter this new phase in your life, as a parent. We recommend that you organise maternity care which will help to achieve this. 

Formalising parenthood

If you are not married or in a registered relationship, you and your partner can arrange recognition of the child through the council in Haarlem. This confirms legal parenthood for both of you. After the birth, you can also arrange parental authority. For questions about nationality, you can contact the civil affairs department of the council.

Antenatal classes

Antenatal classes are organised to help you prepare for labour and the birth of your baby. 
There are a number of English-speaking options available. 

Maternity package

Request a maternity package from your health care insurance. This is a box with medical utensils that you need around the delivery and postpartum period. 

Vaccinations during pregnancy:

The whooping cough vaccination

The whooping cough vaccination during pregnancy is part of the government vaccination schedule. This vaccination is also called the 22-week jab and can be administered after 22 weeks of pregnancy. This reduces the chance that your baby will get whooping cough before he or she is vaccinated, and it saves a jab in the vaccination schedule of your baby. For more information see: https://www.rivm.nl/en/22-week-vaccination

Formal registration of the baby

It is a legal requirement in the Netherlands to formally register the birth of your baby within 3 days after the day they were born. This needs to be done at the local council offices in the town or city where the baby was born. If the 3-day period ends on a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday you have at least two more working days to register the baby’s birth.  

This registration needs to be done in person by your partner or any other person present at the birth of the baby. They need to be able to show a marriage certificate or recognition certificate together with proof of identification.  

The newborn blood spot 

In the first week after birth, a few drops of blood will be taken from your baby’s heel. The blood will then be tested by a laboratory for a number of rare and severe diseases. These diseases can be treated by medicines or by a diet.

A nurse from the clinic will be automatically informed of the birth of your baby and  will perform the heel prick at your home.

About Us

Ons team staat voor professionele, betrokken en persoonlijke zorg rondom jouw zwangerschap. Wil je meer over ons weten? Klik hier.

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