Postnatal period
The postnatal period is a special, intense time in which you have to get used to a new life. You have just been through a pregnancy. You have just given birth. There is a new life, with a baby who needs a lot of care 24 hours a day. A lot changes in your relationship too: you are no longer just each other’s partners, you are now also parents. It takes time to find a new balance in your lives. On top of that, there is recovering from the pregnancy and birth. To support you with this, we visit you at home regularly to check on you and your baby. If you experience any postnatal discomforts, we can discuss these too. Don’t forget that you must register the birth with the municipality within three working days. Do you have questions about the postnatal period? 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.
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MATERNITY HOME CARE
Together with the maternity care assistant, we take care of the medical side of the first days after birth. During these visits we talk with you about the birth, keep an eye on your health and your baby’s health, how feeding is going and how the family is adjusting to the new situation. The heel prick test and the hearing screening take place during this period. The maternity care assistant is an important source of support during this time. She helps you wherever possible and gives you lots of advice. The checks she does every day help us get a good picture of your health and your baby’s health. That is why it is very important to book maternity home care in good time. If you gave birth in hospital, we come to your home the day after you are discharged to check on you and your baby.
THE FIRST DAYS AFTER BIRTH
For the first 10 days after the birth, you are under the care of the midwife. If you are worried or have an urgent question during this period, you can always contact us. The maternity care assistant is usually present for the first eight days. If there are problems that make it advisable for her to stay a little longer, this care can be extended, possibly with a 9th or 10th day. After that, your GP and the child health clinic (consultatiebureau) take over from us. Finally, six weeks after the birth there is a concluding appointment and check-up at our practice. This marks the end of our care. The first days after birth are important for recovering well from pregnancy and birth. We advise you to get plenty of rest!
YOUR BABY’S TEMPERATURE
The normal temperature of a newborn baby is between 36.5 and 37.5 degrees. In the first week it is a good idea to take your baby’s temperature 2 or 3 times a day. You do this rectally (in the bottom) with a digital thermometer. The maternity care assistant will show you how! If the temperature drops below 36.5 degrees, give your baby a new warm hot-water bottle and put a little hat on. If the temperature still doesn’t go up, or if your baby has a fever, call the midwife.
REGISTERING THE BIRTH WITH THE MUNICIPALITY
The birth must be registered within 3 working days. Don’t forget to bring your proof of identity, family record book (trouwboekje) or, if applicable, the deed of acknowledgement. You can make an appointment, but in most cases you can also go without one.