Preparation
As the pregnancy progresses, you start thinking more and more about the delivery: what will happen and what can we expect? During the pregnancy we will invite you to our information evening in which all things about giving birth will be discussed. But it is also preferable to prepare yourself in a other way, so start thinking about taking a pregnancy course, in which you specifically learn how to deal with the contractions, how to practice in advance with different postures, and to learn techniques to cope with the contractions. In addition, many pregnant women and partners find it fun and educational to meet other pregnant women at pregnancy courses, often in the same phase of pregnancy. Reading books about childbirth can also provide good preparation. Talk to your partner, family or friends about the delivery, so that your wishes and preferences can already become clear. Of course, during the consultation hours we also discuss the delivery with you and your partner.
Birth preferences / Birth plan
In a birth plan you describe your wishes, preferences and expectations regarding your delivery. It is often good to write down your ideas for yourself, your partner, your midwives and possibly other parties involved, if the care is transferred to the gynaecologist. Thanks to the birth plan, we know what is important to you and we will take this into account during the delivery. It is good to realize in advance that a delivery always turns out differently than you had planned or imagined, so try to write the birth plan in such a way that you will not be disappointed if things turn out differently during your delivery. This can be done, for example, by writing down different options. Also know that you can change your mind about your wishes during the delivery. Our job is to work with you and your partner and your birth preferences to move along with what happens during giving birth.
Not everyone writes birth preferences, but if you want it, you will find a format here. It will be nice to inform us about your birth preferences during the pregnancy. This way we can go through your preferences with you during the check ups and see whether everything is practical and medically feasible.
"Our job is to work with you and your partner and the birth plan to move along with what happens during childbirth.
— Team Verloskundigenpraktijk Oostelijke Eilanden
Accessibility
We can be reached at 06 511 999 69. If we do not answer or if the mobile phone is switched off, call the ATA and ask for the midwife on duty at the Verloskundigenpraktijk Oostelijke Eilanden. The ATA number is 020 592 38 88. We will then be called via a second line and will call you back within a few minutes. We have a back-up arrangement with another midwifery practice. This means that a midwife will always visit you if you need us, even when we are busy with another delivery. When you call us, we often ask a few more things and we will visit you based on that.
When to call?
It sounds crazy, but when the delivery starts, you know whether you want to call us. We think the most important thing is that you call us if you need us. If you like having a guideline, here are the calling instructions:
If you're worried, or if you think it's appropriate to call us
If you have, with your first child, contractions every 3-5 minutes for about 2 hours that last 1 minute. If you have given birth before, you can call us when you have strong contractions that come about every 5 minutes
If the membranes rupture and the amniotic fluid is green or brown. Then you call immediately! If the amniotic fluid is clear (pink or like pineapple juice), you call during the day
If the water breaks and we have told you during the last check-up that you have to lie down because the head has not yet descended properly
If you lose a lot of blood
If any of the above happens while you are less than 37 weeks pregnant, then call us immediately
Place of giving birth
We don't always stay directly after our first visit, sometimes we come and go a few times during the delivery, depending on how things are developing and depending your wishes. We will stay with you from the moment of heavy contractions, and this is usually also the time to go to the hospital, if you want to give birth there. If you want to give birth at home, we will call a maternity nurse who will assist us with the delivery. Here you will find more information about where to give birth. We make sure that everything we need, is ready during the delivery and we guide you through the last, usually the most difficult, centimetres of dilation.
The Netherlands has a unique obstetric care system where you can decide for yourself where you want to give birth: at home or on an outpatient basis in the hospital. The most important thing is that you feel comfortable in the location where you want to give birth. For some, this is at home, others feel most comfortable in the hospital. You often have in advance an idea about where you would like to give birth, but be aware that this too can change, and often you decide during childbirth where you want to give birth. To us it doesn't matter where you give birth, our goal is to give you a safe and optimal birth experience!
Contact
If you have questions, or if you want to make an appointment feel free to contact us.
