Birth
Birth
After a long period of physical and mental growth, a pregnant woman is ready to give birth and the baby is big enough and ready to be born. Most deliveries take place between 37 and 42 weeks of pregnancy, which is between three weeks before and two weeks after the estimated due date. An average pregnancy lasts 280 days, which is the same as 40 weeks or nine months. Each delivery is different and requires a different approach. We will help you to create a situation that suits your wishes.
In the Netherlands you can choose where you want to give birth, at home or rather in the hospital (birth center). It is good to think about this beforehand: what feels comfortable and safe to you? Once the contractions have started you have to make a decision on where you would like to give birth.
Delivering a baby at home
If the delivery starts at 37 to 42 weeks’ gestation and you and your baby are doing well, it is safe to stay at home for the birth. Recent research shows that giving birth at home is just as safe as in the hospital, because both the obstetrics training and the organization of health care are fully focused on a safe home birth. At home means being in the environment where you feel comfortable, where there are different spaces that you can use. Here you determine the atmosphere, everyone else is a guest. A big advantage is that you do not have to worry about the question of relocating. You’ll find your way and from the start you are focused on what matters: supporting and facilitating each other to ensure that the arrival of your child goes as smoothly as possible.
Giving birth in the birth center or hospital
“Sometimes it feels nicer to give birth in the Birth Center.”
The most common reason for this is that people feel that it is safer there where everything is at hand. We our prerogative is that you feel comfortable and safe wherever you choose to deliver.
If you choose the hospital, you have the option of giving birth in the Gelre Hospital in Apeldoorn in one of the Birthing Suites, where we will assist your birth.
When should you choose?
It is good to give it some thought during the pregnancy although the final decision can still be made while you are already having contractions. If you actually wanted to give birth at home but want to go to the hospital, or if you wanted to give birth in the hospital but you want to stay home; all is possible. Only then will you know how you feel and which choice you feel comfortable with. After we visit you at home, one of us will be with you. Wherever you decide to give birth, we will be there to guide you further.
Tip: check your policy for any additional costs for a hospital birth.
When there is a medium-risk situation (MR) or a medical indication (MI), it is recommended to give birth in hospital. This MI can develop during pregnancy or birth, but sometimes the MI is already diagnosed before pregnancy. In this case the clinical midwives and gynecologists will assist your birth.
For more information on how to prepare and dealing with the pain click here
When should you call?
contact us when :
- you feel regular strong (painful) contractions every 3-5 minutes for an hour that last for about one minute;
- you feel that the contractions are following each other quickly and it is not your first delivery;
- If you are losing amniotic fluid. In that case, try to collect some amniotic fluid or store your sanitary towel in a closed plastic bag;
- If the amniotic fluid is transparent white-pink, the baby’s head has descended well into your pelvic and you have not yet had contractions, in that case you can call us in the morning.
- If the amniotic fluid has a brown or green color, or the baby’s head has not descended into your pelvis or if you are not yet 37 weeks pregnant, you should always call, even at night!
- If you are losing plenty of bright red – not slimy – blood. (Some slimy red or brown blood loss during delivery is normal)
- Here is a checklist to check whether you have everything arranged and ready.
General
If you live together, have you arranged recognition at City Hall?
Do you have the maternity package at home? Is your bed raised? Is maternity care arranged?
For the home birth you’ll need:
- 2 (waste bins) with garbage bags;
- 1 wash bowl or plastic tub;
- 1 extra lamp or hand lamp that gives a lot of white light (such as halogen);
- Maternity package including 1 maternity mattress of the largest size or a plastic mattress protector, at least 15 fiber mats, 10 large sterile gauze and maternity bandages, a pack of zigzag cotton wool, 1 bottle of alcohol 70%, 2 packs of sterile gauze 16×16, 12 hydrophilic diapers for the baby to dry off;
- 1 umbilical clip or cord ring
- liquid soap
- roll of toilet paper
- po and bed boosters (can be borrowed free of charge at Thuiszorg store)
- 2 baby water bottles (a combination of electric and metal is also possible)
The hospital bag
- Toiletries;
- T-shirt or pajamas to give birth in, slippers, large comfortable underpants (maternity pads are quite large), sturdy (nursing) bras, thick socks;
- Stuff with which you can pass the time when you have to wait, for example music or something to read;
- Maxi-cosi or sling to take the baby home;
- Clothes for the baby: romper, top and bottom clothes, hat, jacket and a blanket. It is useful to have 2 sets;
- Punch card, insurance number and pregnancy card;
- (charged) photo and/or film camera;
- important telephone numbers (put them in your charged mobile phone) of, for example, your partner, the midwife, maternity care, the hospital, the (future) grandfathers and grandmothers, the care for the other children, etc.;
- easily digestible food, energy-rich drinks and possibly dextrose sweets;
- hot water bottle or cherry kernel bag for back pain.
