Practical issues

Maternity care

Every woman who gives birth in the Netherlands is entitled to this maternity care. A maternity nurse supports and cares for you during childbirth and the maternity period. The duties of the maternity nurse include teaching you and your partner how to care for the baby and helping with (breast)feeding.

It is important to arrange maternity care early in pregnancy. Preferably as soon as possible and in any case before the 16th week. Also inform your insurance company and check which agencies they have contracts with, so that part of the costs are reimbursed. You can also request a maternity package directly.

How many hours of maternity care you receive depends on various factors and is assessed using the National Indication Protocol (LIP).

The folder that you receive from us during the intake contains the brochures of the maternity agencies with which we often work together and have had good experiences with: The Kraamvogel, Maternity Sister and Maternity care agency Monique Boer.

Taking blood

After the term ultrasound, we will give you a form to take a blood test. You can go to various locations for blood collection:

Dronten Polyclinic Sint Jansdal
The Black Water 77-83 Dronten
Monday to Friday 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Make an appointment in advance via www.stjansdal.nl/prikafspraak

Swifterbant Gezondheidscentrum De Schelp
(only if you have your doctor there, make an appointment in advance by telephone via the doctor's assistant)
Monday to Friday 8:30 AM - 9:00 AM

Biddinghuizen Gezondheidscentrum Biddinghuizen
(only if you have your doctor there, make an appointment in advance by telephone via the doctor's assistant)
Monday to Friday 8:30 AM - 9:00 AM

Sign up for a pregnancy course

In and around Dronten there are various antenatal courses that can prepare you for childbirth. A pregnancy course is not only fun but also educational. It is important that it fits your experience. On our about page pregnancy courses you will find an overview of the courses near Dronten.

Recognition of your child

You can recognize your child as a partner if you are not married or do not have a registered partnership with the child's mother. Recognition can be arranged throughout the pregnancy, but is most practical before the 24th week.
See also the information on Rijksoverheid.nl

Arrange childcare

If you want to start working (again) after giving birth, it is important that you think in time about how you want to arrange childcare. There are several options to choose from. If you choose a daycare center or childminder agency, take into account a waiting list. It is therefore wise to register on time, so that you have care as soon as your leave expires.

Maternity leave

Your total maternity leave lasts 16 weeks. It is up to you to decide when you will go on leave. You can choose to go on leave 4 or 6 weeks before your due date. After the birth you always have at least 10 weeks of leave, even if the baby is born after the due date.

Salaried employment

If you are employed, you can request leave from your employer via a pregnancy declaration. The maternity benefit you receive is equal to your salary.

Self-employed or unemployed

Are you self-employed or are you unemployed? Then different rules apply.
As a self-employed person you can apply for a ZEZ benefit from the UWV. You are entitled to 16 weeks of benefit for pregnancy and childbirth and receive this benefit for 5 days a week. If you receive unemployment benefits, you are also entitled to 16 weeks of leave. You will receive maternity benefit instead of your unemployment benefit.

Arrange at 37 weeks of pregnancy

Bring the bed to the correct working height

During labor and delivery maternity week your bed must be at least 75 cm high. This is the correct working height for the maternity nurse and midwife. You can raise your bed with blocks, which can be borrowed from the home care store. Even if you do not want to give birth at home, your bed must be this height.

For safety reasons, giving birth in the attic, giving birth on two mattresses stacked on top of each other or giving birth on a waterbed is not possible.

The maternity package

You will usually receive your maternity package through your health insurer. If you have informed the insurance company of your pregnancy, you will automatically receive your maternity package a few weeks before the due date. Is it not included in your insurance package? Then you can purchase all the necessary materials at the pharmacy or drugstore. In our practice we have a list of all the items you need.

Have a hospital case ready

It is wise to pack a bag with the things you need if you unexpectedly want or have to go to the hospital to give birth. If you do this ahead of time, you won't have to worry about it when labor starts.

Arrangements after delivery

Register your birth at the civil registry

As soon as your child is born, you are required to report it within 3 working days of the birth. You must do this in the municipality in which the baby was born. In the municipality of Dronten this is only possible by appointment. You can make an appointment by telephone (14 0321) or you can register the birth online via www.dronten.nl. In the municipalities of Harderwijk and Lelystad, birth registration is possible with or without an appointment. If you are unable to file a tax return within 3 days due to a weekend or public holiday, you must do so on the next working day. If you file a tax return too late, you risk a fine. It is possible to register the birth online at the municipality of Dronten, Harderwijk and Zwolle. You no longer have to come to the town hall.

Arrange health insurance and other insurance for your child

In the Netherlands it is mandatory to register your child with the health insurer within 4 months after birth. The government pays the health insurance premium for children under the age of 18. You may register your child with your health insurer or that of your partner. Your child will then receive the same health insurance as one of you.