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.

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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. You find the overview of our information evenings here. 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. Costs: 25 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.

  • 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.com

    Bump and Beyond
    www.bumpandbeyond.nl

    Mirjam Vos
    https://www.mirjam-vos.nl/en/

    Bevalwijzer
    www.bevalwijzer.nl

    Other courses that are in english too:

    Mom&Co Hypnobirthing

    Hypnobirthing Randstad

    Thrive Yoga

  • 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.

    Oosterpark - Marrigje Jansen
    www.oosterparkpraktijk.nl/voorbereiding-op-de-bevalling/

    Carita Salome
    www.caritasalome.nl of www.mensendieckprinsengracht.nl/zwangerschapscursus-carita-salome-methode/

  • 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.nl

    Mudra yoga and pilates by Tanja Secrève
    www.mudra-pilates.nl 

    The Lijfschool (pregnancy)yoga
    www.lijfschool.nl

    Blue 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.nl

    Pregnancy 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.nl

    Drs 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.nl

    Mom and Co
    https://momenco.nl/en/www-momenco-nl/

    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 

    Bo Link
    www.bo-link.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.nl

    Miram Vos
    www.mirjam-vos.n

  • 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.nl

    2 handen op 1 buik (two peas in a pod) - for single mothers
    www.2handenop1buik.com

    Rondom de Geboorte (Surrounding Birth)
    https://rondomdegeboorte.nl

  • 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

Contact

Do you have questions or you want to make an appointment? Feel free to contact us.