Isala hospital

Everything you need to know about giving birth in Isala

If you are pregnant, you are probably already looking forward to the arrival of your baby. At the same time, choosing the right place to give birth brings up many questions. At Verloskundigen Dronten we understand that this is an important decision. If you are considering not giving birth at home, but would rather be in the hospital, we speak of an outpatient delivery.

Why choose an outpatient delivery?

An outpatient delivery means that you give birth in the hospital with us as your own midwife. This is a great option if you want to combine the peace and privacy of home with the certainty of medical care nearby. For example, you enter the hospital in the morning to give birth and you are often back home the same day or evening.

An outpatient delivery offers comfort, especially if you:

– You like to be close to specialists in case it is needed.

– Want to use a birthing pool for more relaxation.

– Seeks the certainty of medical equipment and an expert team within reach.

Isala: an excellent choice for your delivery

Isala is one of the largest and most modern hospitals in the Netherlands, with an excellent obstetrics department. The Isala Hospital in Zwolle is one of the largest and most prominent hospitals in the Netherlands. It is known for its high-quality care, modern facilities and patient-oriented approach. For complex care, people come to Isala from surrounding hospitals and even from far beyond. For residents of Dronten, the hospital is easily accessible, both by car and by public transport.

The maternity suites and facilities

The maternity suites at Isala offer a pleasant, homely atmosphere. The rooms are modernly furnished and equipped with everything you need to make your delivery smooth and comfortable. If we, as your midwives, supervise the delivery at Isala, we have access to all the equipment you need for the delivery.

Experienced assistance during childbirth

If you choose to give birth in an outpatient clinic at Isala, there is always an experienced assistant present at the birth to help us as midwives. Because we often work together, we need only a few words to understand what is intended during the birth. This is important, because good communication is important for the safety of care.

Giving birth in a bath? That's possible at Isala!

Even if you want to give birth at the Isala hospital, you still have the option of giving birth in a bath. Giving birth in a warm birthing bath can help to better absorb the contractions, reduce pain and give you a feeling of relaxation. You do not need to arrange anything in advance: we will inform Isala at your home by telephone that you would like to use a birthing bath. The bath will then be set up for you, so that everything is ready when you need it. You only pay the costs for the protective cover that goes in the bath, because it cannot be reused afterwards. The costs for this are +/- €90 and you pay upon arrival.

Clear protocols in the room

During your delivery in Isala, there are special folders with protocols for us as midwives, in which all appointments are listed again from the hospital in case you have not been to Isala before. Everything is perfectly arranged and the assistant at the delivery also knows where to find everything. This is very pleasant.

Pain relief: all options within reach at Isala

In addition to the previously mentioned advantages of giving birth at the Isala hospital, another advantage is the extensive choice of pain relief. Giving birth is a unique experience, but can also be intense. At Isala you have access to no fewer than four different forms of pain relief, which is less the case at other hospitals. Your own situation is taken into account, with the following options possible:

Pethidine
This is an injection of a morphine-like drug that helps to relieve pain and make you more relaxed. The effect is noticeable within minutes and can help you experience a break during prolonged contractions.
Remifentanil
This is a morphine-like drug that is administered through an IV. You operate a pump yourself that allows you to administer small doses at the moment you feel the pain coming on. This gives you control over your own pain relief, while the drug works quickly.
Epidural
This is a spinal injection that you receive under the supervision of an anesthetist. An epidural blocks the pain signals from your lower body and provides long-term relief during your labor. Many women choose this if the pain is intense and they need pain relief for a longer period of time.
Spinal anesthesia
This is similar to an epidural, but works faster and more powerfully. It is often used in planned or emergency caesarean sections or in specific situations during vaginal birth.

Not every hospital offers these extensive options. In many other hospitals in the region, you can only choose between remifentanil or an epidural. At Isala, however, you have access to all four options and they choose what is best at the time of delivery and look at the progress.

What if your baby needs extra care?

We hope that everything goes well, but if your baby needs medical care after birth, all care is provided at one location at Isala Hospital, which means that you and your baby can stay close to each other.

Isala and the NICU: unique in the region

An important reason why the Isala hospital is so highly regarded is the presence of a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)This makes Isala unique compared to many other hospitals in the region. Not every hospital has a NICU, where highly specialized care is provided to newborns who need extra medical support.

In case of complications such as premature birth, respiratory problems or other medical challenges, a NICU can make all the difference. Here, specialized neonatologists, nurses and other healthcare providers work together to give your baby the very best start, often using advanced equipment and techniques.

Why is this so important?

In hospitals without NICUs, babies who require intensive care often need to be transferred to a hospital that does have a NICU. This can be especially stressful for you and your family, as you may be in one hospital while your baby is being cared for elsewhere.
At Isala, everything and everyone stays close. You can stay with your baby, which is crucial for the bond between parent and child and the recovery of your baby.

Whether you choose an outpatient delivery with us as your own midwife or whether you receive medical guidance from the Isala team, it is a reassuring thought that highly specialized care is always available if necessary.

Ronald McDonald House Zwolle: close to your baby if your baby has to be admitted

If your baby unexpectedly has to be admitted for a longer period, other hospitals sometimes offer the option of staying overnight in a hospital room, but there is not always room for this. If there is no room, the baby will remain in the hospital and you as parents will go home. At the Isala hospital, on the other hand, it is often possible to stay overnight in the Ronald McDonald House Zwolle, which is within walking distance of Isala.

The Ronald McDonald House offers a warm and homely environment where parents can stay while their child is in the hospital. Here you can:

– Overnight stay in a guest room with private bathroom, television and Wi-Fi.

– Relax in the living room, garden or kitchen.

– Meet other parents who are going through the same thing.

Normally an overnight stay costs €75, but thanks to donors you only pay €15 per night. Registration is done via the department where your baby is admitted. This way you can always be close by, even at night, when your child needs you.

In summary: giving birth in Isala means care for the entire family

Finally, the Isala Hospital not only looks at the medical side, but also focuses on the bonding and involvement of the entire family. Everything is done to ensure that you have a good start together. From the moment of birth, your baby will stay in your room. This helps you to get used to each other quickly and promotes good bonding. Your partner can stay overnight, so that you can experience this special time together. In addition, you decide when and how often you want to receive visitors. Brothers and sisters are of course also very welcome, so that they can be involved with their new brother or sister from the very first moment.

Isala understands that childbirth is more than just a medical event: it is the start of a new family. Together we ensure that this experience is safe, warm and personal.

Birth plan

At Verloskundigen Dronten your wishes and needs are central. Together with Isala we ensure a personal approach, whether you choose a water birth, pain relief or if other additional medical guidance is required. We encourage you to birth plan to ensure that your delivery goes as much as possible as you wish.

Would you like to explore the area in advance? Isala regularly organizes tours and information sessions about childbirth and the postpartum period. Feel free to ask us for more information during your next check-up.