What to take care of

Early in the pregnancy it can be useful to take care of a number of things in due time. We will explain this during our check-ups of course, and check with you whether things have already been taken care of. We also have put everything briefly and concisely on a checklist.

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Early in the pregnancy it can be useful to take care of a number of things in due time.

— Team Verloskundigenpraktijk Oostelijke Eilanden

At the beginning of pregnancy

Maternity care
Great if you are registered at a maternity agency that we work with, before the 16th week. A list of maternity care agencies can be found here (list maternitycare agencies)

Acknowledgement of the unborn fetus
If you are not married or do not have a registered partnership, it is recommended to arrange the acknowledgement of the unborn child with the municipality during your pregnancy. This can be done by making an appointment at one of the city district offices (stadsdeelkantoren).

Child care
In Amsterdam the waiting lists can be long, so if you want to use child care later, it might come in handy to take care of this in due time.

Pregnancy course
If you alone or with your partner want to prepare yourself later in the pregnancy as well as possible for giving birth, it may be a good idea to register for a pregnancy course in due time.

Courses

Curious about which pregnancy courses there are? We have listed a number of them for you.

MORE

Later on in pregnancy

Maternity box

Check with your insurance company whether you are insured for the maternity box (kraampakket). If so, make a request for it at your insurer. If not, you can buy them at a drugstore or pharmacy or you can order them online.

Maternity leave

Notify your employer that you are pregnant, so that you can arrange your maternity leave. If you are self-employed, check whether you are eligible for a ZEZ benefit.

What to buy for the baby (babyuitzet)

Of course you need a number of things for a newborn baby. There are many lists to be found, but this is the ultimate list from the Consumenten Bond (Dutch).

Bag for a hospital birth

From about 36 weeks into your pregnancy it is good to have a bag ready. During childbirth there is sometimes not much time left to pack everything. On our what to bring to the hospital-list you will find everything that should be in it.

Bed raisers

You can rent bed raisers, free of charge, for a number of weeks, and it is very nice to have a slightly higher bed. Not only for yourself during the last weeks of pregnancy and afterwards, but also for us and the maternity care. You can rent them here.

From about 36 weeks into your pregnancy it is nice to have a bag ready. During childbirth there is sometimes not much time left to pack everything.

— Team Verloskundigenpraktijk Oostelijke Eilanden

After childbirth

Joint authority
After your child has been registered with the municipality, you can arrange joint custody together. This is only necessary if you have also acknowledged the child. If you are married or have a registered partnership, you already have joint authority. You will receive all the information necessary for this through the municipality.

Register with health insurance
When your child is born, don’t forget about registering the child with the health insurance of one of you.

More information can also be found on the website of the rijksoverheid (national government) and the consumentenbond (consumer association).

They are really very good at it! I was very afraid of giving birth and with the help from this topper it went great. Highly recommended.

— Masha, Geert Jan & Floris
I have never regretted my choice for this practice. They’re all champions that guided us. Many thanks!!

— Hafsa, Reda & Selmen
A great practice with every one of them very committed and professional midwives. We couldn't have wished for a better place for guidance of my first pregnancy, from the first ultrasound to the birth and follow-up checks. Everything very carefully and lovingly, with a lot of attention for your personal wishes and situation as parents-to-be. Thank you VPOE!

— Anonymous
Dear Karolien, Marije and all the ladies from VPOE, the “angels” of natal care. We like to thank you once more very much, fort he great care and the trust that we, thanks to you, have acquired in the magical process of child-birth! Karolien, thank you for the calmness and the loving support!

— Charlot, Herman & Samuel
Throughout my whole pregnancy, I was very satisfied with the service of this midwifery. The midwives were all very professional, kind and understanding. I really appreciated the emergency hotline that I could call whenever I had concerns about something. I highly recommend this midwifery. Dear all, we are very grateful for your help during the pregnancy. Your kindness, understanding and constant availability for help made our journey a safe and positive experience. Thank you!

— Katalin, Thomas & Lotte
Pleasant and committed midwifes with adequate knowledge. They are friendly and I was not treated as a number. Pleasant guidance and aftercare.

— Marloes, Robin & Maeve
Thank you very much for your great care, before, during and after child-birth! We wish everybody midwifes like you lot! And an extra shout-out to Saskia and Hanne, we are very happy with your presence!

— Zasha, Sebastiaan and Elanor
A very pleasant practice with very committed, empathic midwifes. Even during my pregnancy in corona-time they never felt far-away or unreachable. The care kept bein personal and very accessible. From start to finish they listened to me and thought along with me. I had chosen VPOE based on previous positive Google reviews and clearly there was no lie to that.

— Carolien, Jesse & Midas
I really liked it! The best guidance you could wish for. From start to finish. Very sweet, accessible and skilful midwifes. Every single one of them. Highly recommended for all pregnant women in Amsterdam-Oost! I was very nervous and insecure at the start of my pregnancy, because of multiple miscarriages, and this was very good taken care of. I have gotten a very peasant guidance!

— Mariella, Simon, Louie & Pixie
Super nice practice, very good guidance during my pregnancy, child-birth and afterwards! All the ladies here are really committed, experienced and have a pleasant no-nonsense mentality without being harsh. They accept you as you are and give you lots of confidence. Next pregnancy I’m directly at their doorstep!

— Julie, Tom & Faye
Super nice practice with very committed and skilled midwifes. I had a very good guidance during my pregnancy, the first part of child-birth and also for the aftercare they really took sufficient time. You can always reach them quickly for questions, and they really listen to you. Highly recommended to every pregnant lady in Amsterdam-Oost!

— Marleen, Hugo & Ella
Pleasant, skillful practice with lots of attention for the pregnant lady. They offer a course of hypnobirthing and they are capable of using that during the delivery. Thanks to them I have beautiful memories to my delivery. You can be proud of your practice. Nice, kind, skilful people with sincere attention for the pregnant woman. Besides that, I like it that you are very progressive and are working with hypnobirthing techniques.

— Florentien, Marc & Robbie