Having a Baby in the Netherlands

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Having a Baby in the Netherlands

Overall standards of health in the Netherlands are very high and according to the World Health Organisation the Netherlands is one of the world's safest places to have a baby.

Antenatal Medical Examinations

When a woman suspects she is pregnant, she should visit her family doctor (huisart), who will confirm the pregnancy and provide a referral to a midwife. At the point of confirmation, blood tests will be taken at a laboratory.

The initial appointment with the midwife takes place at approximately 12 weeks. During this first visit, the pregnant woman is asked about her medical history and should state whether she wants a home or hospital birth. The midwife will screen for possible complications and refer her to an obstetrician if needed. 

During the first appointment, the mother will be given a booklet with information, the schedule of visits, a report on each consultation and dietary advice. The booklet also lists the necessary equipment if the mother is to give birth at home, the expected date of labour/delivery and other helpful information including details of massage therapists and yoga teachers.

Visits with the midwife will take place on a regular basis, first at every four weeks, and increasing to weekly as the delivery date approaches.

Throughout the pregnancy the midwife will be on the look out for possible risks and if concerned will refer the woman to an obstetrician who will decide whether she should be placed under more medical care, or if midwife care is sufficient.

Midwives in the Netherlands use the official list of obstetrical indications, Verloskundige Indicatie Lijst (VIL), to monitor potential diseases. The midwife checks the patient’s personal medical history and if she believes that there is a risk of illnesses such as pre-eclampsia she will refer the patient to an obstetrician.

The Delivery

The country strongly favours home births, natural childbirth and the use of a midwife. Anyone wishing to have pain medication, pills, epidural or a possible caesarean section, should state this firmly at the outset and have it included, in writing, in their folder (so that the person doing the delivery knows). 

Many low-risk women give birth at home, attended by a midwife (about 30 percent of births). 

Giving birth at home

Once called, the midwife checks on the mother. When the birth is imminent (within an hour or so), a nurse/helper arrives and together with the midwife attends the birth. They provide help through the labour and take care of minor medical issues; if necessary the pregnant woman is taken to hospital.

Giving birth in a hospital

A woman may choose the hospital where she wants to give birth, although most elect to go to their nearest hospital, or one where their chosen midwife or gynaecologist works.

The midwife is met at the hospital and if there are no complications an obstetrician will not attend. 

Women usually return home 24 hours after delivery. If there are complications, an obstetrician and a paediatrician will provide assistance and pain medication or an intervention.

A woman may have her partner - or any person of her choice - attend the birth. 

After Care

Mothers are entitled to an after-care programme for a period of five to seven days after the birth. A helper visits the home daily to look after the baby, provide practical advice if needed and help with the general house chores.

The "Green Book"

After birth, parents are given a document called "the green book" in which to record the growth of the child, the vaccinations received and other health information regarding the baby.

Well-Baby Clinic (Consultatiebureau)

From birth until about the age of four, routine check-ups (health, vaccinations, cognitive and motor development) are carried out by the consultatiebureau. From that age onwards, routine health care is taken over by the Municipal Health Services (GGD) and motor and cognitive development by the school doctor. For any other health issues, visit the family doctor (huisart).

Vaccinations

At birth babies are given Vitamin K and after five to eight days vaccinations are given by the midwife or a local area nurse. After this, the child enters in the usual programme of consultations and has regular vaccinations from about six months up to nine years of age.

• For information on the vaccination programme for children in the Netherlands: Click here (in Dutch)

Medical Organisations

Pregnant women may join their local Stichting Thuiszorg or the Cross Organisation (Kruisvereniging) for pre- and post-natal services. In each community these organisations offer offer exercise classes, baby equipment rental, nursing help at home, special beds and lifting devices.

Registration of Birth

The birth of a child needs to be registered within 48 hours at the local town hall (gemeentehuis). This will provide the child with a birth certificate. 

The passports, birth certificate and residence papers of both parents must be shown, along with the marriage certificate if they are married or an official living-together contract if not. The mother's name must be mentioned on the birth certificate regardless of her marital status.

The birth can be registered by the father, the mother or a third person.

Following registration, those paying Dutch taxes should receive a form entitling them to child benefit.

Foreign parents may apply to the Consulate of their Embassy in the Netherlands for registration of the birth with their home country. This however does not mean they don't need to register with the Dutch authorities. The Dutch registration of birth must be obtained first.

Nationality

If the mother is Dutch the baby automatically gets Dutch nationality even if the father is not. If the father alone is Dutch, the baby must be registered during the pregnancy in order to qualify for Dutch nationality. (The law changed in April 2003: if the father is Dutch the child is not automatically eligible for Dutch nationality.)

Parents who are not Dutch nationals should contact the relevant Embassy to establish the baby's nationality.

Maternity & Parental Leave

At least ten weeks have to be taken after the delivery, for example if the employee stopped six weeks before the birth and the birth is two weeks late, two weeks will be added to the ten remaining weeks. If the mother is sick after the maternity leave she is entitled to 100 percent of daily pay.

Fathers are entitled to a paternity leave of two days paid in full by the employer. These entitlements also apply to people adopting a child and to families with more than one child.

Both parents are entitled to unpaid parental leave. 

According to the Adjustment of Hours Law people in the Netherlands are entitled to work full time or part time according to their needs. Mothers who wish to spend time with their babies and children are allowed to work part-time (four hours per day) returning later to full-time employment. 

Further Information

• Centraal Dockterdienst/Atacom: telephone service with English-speaking staff answering questions for medical emergencies, and helping those not yet registered with a General Practitioner
  Tel: 020 592 3434
• MR 70: sexual health clinic offering help and advice
  At: Sarphatistraat 618-626, 1018 AV Amsterdam
  Tel: 020 624 5426
  e-mail
  Website
• Parenting in Holland: website for English-speaking expatriate parents living in Holland. Comprehensive information on pregnancy, birth and parenting babies and toddlers