Pregnancy & Birth
Going through pregnancy and childbirth abroad may find you a little ‘lost in translation’ in a new cultural climate. There are, however, ways and means to a relatively burp-free experience. If you’re starting a family in the Netherlands, get all the must-knows and nice-to-knows of the Dutch healthcare system in this comprehensive 9-month digest.
Mum's the word
Thousands of expats choose to give birth in the Netherlands, some naturally at home - the popular choice among Dutch women - others in hospital. Experiences are as broad as the options available for international residents planning on starting a family on new terrain. Support is the keyword and a benefit much in abundance in the city.
Cheryl Douratsos, a British/Greek national living in Amsterdam, positively rated her home birth experience: " The system worked well with me once I understood it. The midwives seemed a little 'hands-off'' until the due date approached, and I noted that they don't do as many checks/tests here as in they UK. But when the day of the birth came, they were so fast to arrive for the first check and then even quicker when I rang back to say the baby was coming!"
On choosing a midwife, Nicola Trigg, also a well-established British expat in Amsterdam, commented: "My midwife was a recommendation through a friend. And she didn't fail me. At my practice, I got to meet all the midwives, five in all, during the pregnancy. So every time I had an appointment I would be seen by someone different. By the time it came to delivery, I knew them all and they knew me really well which was a major advantage because I could check which one was working the day I gave birth."
To help you make the most out of the Dutch healthcare system, this 3-part guide offers all the ins and outs of pregnancy and birth.
Pregnancy & birth pt 1
Included in this section:
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Finding a midwife
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Home births
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Hospital births
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Home suite hospital (private room)
- Tell a friend
You can also reach us by phone:
+31 (0)20 254 79 99