Things to arrange during pregnancy
During pregnancy it is important to arrange a number of things properly and in good time. We have listed them for you. Read here everything you can prepare for the birth, such as your hospital bag. Would you like more advice about everything that needs to be arranged during pregnancy? Contact us on 020-775 99 27. You can reach us by phone on weekdays between 08:30 and 16:00. You can also email us at verloskundigen@pregnanta.nl. We will then contact you as soon as possible. Would you like to make an appointment to visit the practice? You are always welcome to come and meet us, with no obligation. By clicking the button below you can make an appointment straight away.
INFORMING YOUR GP, PHARMACY AND INSURER
It is important that your GP, pharmacy and insurer are all aware of your pregnancy. In case of illness or when medicines are prescribed, your pregnancy will then be taken into account.
MATERNITY HOME CARE
It is important to arrange maternity home care at the start of your pregnancy, preferably before 16 weeks. Even if you have family or friends who will help you after the birth, you are still required to arrange maternity home care. A maternity care assistant assists us during the birth and helps you during the first week with caring for yourself and your baby. She also carries out checks and keeps us informed of them. The practice assistant will tell you during the first check-up where and how you can best arrange this.
ANTENATAL CLASSES
It is advisable to take an antenatal class during pregnancy, to prepare for the birth. There are many different kinds of classes. It is important to choose a class that suits you. At your second check-up at our practice, you will receive an overview of the antenatal classes given in and around Amsterdam. If you want to take a class, it is a good idea to arrange this in good time, around 20 weeks of pregnancy.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
If you are not married, it is important to arrange the acknowledgement (erkenning) of your child at the Civil Registry (Burgerlijke Stand) during pregnancy. In addition, whether married or not, you are free to choose your child’s surname. You also arrange this during pregnancy at the Civil Registry.
MATERNITY LEAVE
- Employee
As a pregnant woman, you are entitled to at least 16 weeks of maternity leave. How long the leave period actually lasts depends on the date on which your baby is actually born.
You apply to your employer for maternity leave at least 3 weeks before the date you want your leave to start. Your employer will then ask you for a pregnancy statement (zwangerschapsverklaring). You receive this statement, which states the expected date of birth, from your midwife. - Self-employed
Are you pregnant and self-employed? Then the Self-Employed and Pregnant scheme (Zelfstandig en Zwanger, ZEZ) applies to you. You can receive a pregnancy benefit for at least 16 weeks.
The benefit starts 4 to 6 weeks before your due date. You can submit the application up to 2 weeks before the benefit starts at the latest. That is 6 to 8 weeks before your expected date of birth. Apply for the benefit from UWV using the form ‘Aanvraag ZEZ-uitkering voor zwangere zelfstandigen’. - Unemployed
If you are unemployed and receive unemployment benefit (WW), sickness benefit (Ziektewet) or disability benefit, you are also entitled to maternity leave. You apply for this at least 3 weeks before the desired start date at the Employee Insurance Agency (UWV).
MATERNITY PACK
Everyone who is going to give birth must have a maternity pack (kraampakket) at home. This pack is usually provided by the health insurer. The midwife will explain how you can request it.
RAISING YOUR BED
From 37 weeks you may give birth. This means you must have everything you need for the birth at home and your bed must be raised (70-80 cm). You can do this using bed raisers or (beer) crates. From 37 weeks, the bed raisers can be collected free of charge, together with a bedpan, from the Thuiszorgwinkel (home care shop).