Early education
During the first contact for registration and making the first appointments, our assistant will inform you about the early education (education about first three months). During this meeting, the following topics will be discussed: healthy food, healthy lifestyle, work and pregnancy, the obstetric system in the Netherlands, ultrasounds, prenatal screening and more. This information is a city-wide initiative and is in collaboration with Jeugdgezondheidszorg (JGZ) (Youth Health Care). Ideally, you have attended this meeting prior to your intake interview at the practice.
You can register for the online meetings via this link. Click on the desired information and then on "new attendance". Fill in all the fields here and confirm the registration with "create attendance". After registration you will receive a confirmation with an explanation about installing Zoom and then on the day itself the Zoom link to log in.
"At the early education you will receive information about healthy nutrition, lifestyle, work and pregnancy, the obstetric system, ultrasounds, prenatal screening and more.
- Team Verloskundigen Oostelijke Eilanden
Education about giving birth
Are you more than 32 weeks pregnant? Then you probably need more information about giving birth. What's going to happen? How does a contraction feel? How do I recognize amniotic fluid? Where do I want to give birth? What are the pain relief options? All the answers to these questions will be discussed during our 2 hours long information evening IN DUTCH with all the ins and outs about giving birth! Also recommended for partners.
The data in 2026 are: 14 January/ 4 March/ 8 April/ 13 May/ 24 June/ 19 August/ 16 September/ 21 October/ 18 November/ 16 December.
If you prefer the information in English, you will find a similar information video about birth here. During the check ups the delivery and al the ins and outs are also discussed in English. For more elaborate information about the delivery in English it’s advised to follow a prenatal / birth course.
Breastfeeding
It seems very simple: a breast with milk, a baby with a hunger, you click that together and tada: breastfeeding! However, it is not always as simple as it seems, often it really takes some time, effort and patience to be able to feed properly. To prepare yourself for the breastfeeding period, we recommend that you attend an information meeting so that you know a little more in the first hectic week after the birth of your baby. Lactation consultant Ineke van Straeten provides this information for us. It is a combined education about breastfeeding and baby behavior, very useful.
The data in 2025 are 13 January/ 10 February/ 10 March/ 14 April/ 12 may/ 9 June/ 14 July/ 4 August/ 8 September/
13 October/ 10 November/ 15 December.
Costs: 30 euros
Courses
In preparation for the birth of your child, it can be nice to follow a pregnancy course. We notice that if pregnant women and couples have been able to prepare one way or the other, this can help them to look forward to the birth with confidence. And this in turn can affect the course of your delivery. How you want to prepare is different for everyone. In Amsterdam there are many different types of courses and many variants of them. The range of pregnancy courses in Amsterdam is huge. We have made a selection of courses with which we and our pregnant women have had good experiences.
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Having a baby in the Netherlands can be different then what your used to because of our different midwifery system. During your check-ups we will explain a lot, but it can be very useful to follow a prenatal course that can help you prepare. Courses that are especially made for expats, having a baby in The Netherlands!
Truus Gayle
https://childbirthclassgale.comBump and Beyond
www.bumpandbeyond.nlMirjam Vos
https://www.mirjam-vos.nl/en/Bevalwijzer
www.bevalwijzer.nlOther courses that are in english too:
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In the case of Mensendieck or Cesar exercise therapy, it is mainly about how you can prevent physical complaints during your pregnancy. With such a large abdomen, the centre of gravity of your body changes and this can cause back pain or pelvic pain. In these courses you will learn to lift, sit and walk in a good way. In addition, you are prepared for delivery: Breathing, puffing, pressing and various postures to deal with labour.
Carita Salome
www.mensendieckprinsengracht.nl/zwangerschapscursus-carita-salome-methode/
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With pregnancy yoga you prepare your body and mind for giving birth. You do exercises to make your pelvis more flexible and learn relaxation exercises. There is also a lot of attention to good posture during pregnancy, and various breathing techniques and relaxation exercises are performed, which also can be applied during labour.
Thrive
www.thriveyoga.nlMudra yoga and pilates by Tanja Secrève
www.mudra-pilates.nlThe Lijfschool (pregnancy)yoga
www.lijfschool.nlBlue Birds
www.blue-birds.nl -
Sporting and fitness during pregnancy has many advantages. Often your body is more in balance and can therefore easily handle all the changing processes in your body. A body in balance performs and functions better. However, it may be that you need to adjust the degree and the intensity during your pregnancy. There’s many different types of programs that anticipate on being fit during pregnancy. This is usually not combined with a preparation for delivery. So you may want to take a training course that focuses more on giving birth and how to prepare for it, in addition to sports and fitness.
Mom in Balance
www.mominbalance.com/nederland/nl/ZwangerFit Mirjam Vos
www.mirjam-vos.nlPregnancy swimming
www.sportfondsenbadamsterdamoost.nl/activiteiten/zwangerschapszwemmen/ or www.amsterdam.nl/demirandabad/zwangerschapszwemmen/ -
These courses are based on providing information about the changes during pregnancy, about the course of delivery, and about everything that comes your way. Usually there is no practicing of breathing and relaxation. These courses are designed to inform you and to make you aware of your expectations prior to delivery. If your expectations are not entirely in line with the actual situation, this can lead to disappointment and a negative delivery experience. Getting well informed ahead of time helps to get a positive outcome.
Behavior Guide
www.bevalwijzer.nlDrs Mama
https://drsmama.com/ -
Hypnobirthing is a course that you attend together with your partner. Breathing techniques and deep relaxation help you to stay calm and relaxed during labour. Your body can work much better through relaxation than through tension or fear. In the course there is focus on breaking up the anxiety-tension-pain circle. Instead of fear and tension, you get positive expectations and feelings in the birth process. Hypnobirthing courses given by midwives:
HypnoBirthing Amsterdam
www.amsterdamhypnobirthing.nlMom and Co
https://momenco.nl/en/Randstad Hypnobirthing
https://hypnobirthingrandstad.nl -
Pregnancy Haptonomy you attend with your partner and is be aimed at making contact with the baby in your belly. This is done by touch, by placing hands on the pregnant abdomen. Extra fun for your partner, because naturally he doesn't feel the baby moving continuously. The course prepares you for childbirth and for your new relationship with your child after giving birth. Pregnancy guidance through haptonomy also takes into account how you can absorb (together) the pain of labour during the delivery.
Haptomotion
www.haptomotion.nl -
A mindfulness course for pregnant women helps you deal with stress. You learn to meditate and to live more ‘in the moment’. This will give you confidence towards the delivery.
Mind in Geboorte (Birth)
https://mindingeboorte.nlMiram Vos
www.mirjam-vos.nl/en/ -
A few courses that cannot be put in a specific category, but with which we have good experiences:
Samen Bevallen (Giving Birth Together)
www.samenbevallen.nl2 handen op 1 buik (two peas in a pod) - for single mothers
www.2handenop1buik.comRondom de Geboorte (Surrounding Birth)
https://rondomdegeboorte.nl
Contact
Do you have questions or you want to make an appointment? Feel free to contact us.
