Maternity Centre

Developments are really taking off in the field of maternity care. Pregnant women are increasingly leading the way when it comes to their care requirements during pregnancy. The maternity centre at Amstelland Hospital is responding to this demand. In addition to effective medical care, attention is also being devoted to complementary care with a focus on lifestyle. As part of this, the pregnant woman is encouraged to draw up her own birth plan, supported by the gynaecologist.

The maternity centre at Amstelland Hospital offers exceptional second-line support to pregnant women, new mothers and their newborn babies. The centre has four delivery rooms, with another two due to open before 1 March 2017. With six delivery rooms, there is always space to give birth. Every delivery room offers the option to give birth in a birthing pool, with the support of effective pain relief if desired.

Gentle c-section-
In principle, a planned caesarean section is a gentle c-section. This means that the mother, father and child are not separated after a caesarean section. As the mother, you are really part of the birth process and have the child with you as soon as possible. The 'Hugmee' is a special baby carrier that allows the baby to lie on the mother's chest and prevents it from cooling down. Care then continues in the family room, where the father also plays an important role in the care of the mother and child.

Really stay together
After the birth, intensive work with the paediatrician may be necessary. If so, we work together effectively to provide suitable care to both mother and child, who can remain together in the room. Depending on the situation, the decision will be made to take both mother and child to the paediatric ward or to obstetrics. For a small fee, the partner can also stay overnight. This is a big benefit because it means that the young family can really be together in the first few precious days after the birth.

Lifestyle programme
Based on the view that a healthy diet and enough exercise can contribute to the well-being of both mother and child, the maternity centre in Amstelland Hospital is launching a lifestyle programme aimed at pregnant women. In collaboration with Radmilo Soda, owner of Soda Bodyfit and author of the recently published book 'MOMS', a practical programme is being offered that puts advice related to diet and exercise into practice throughout all phases of the pregnancy. The programme encompasses a whole host of activities, including a workshop led by Radmilo Soda, accompanied by a training package, book and app for exercises.

Most women in The Netherlands remain under the care of a midwife (verloskundige) during pregnancy and childbirth. If you want to go straight to a gynaecologist rather than a midwife, you must first get a referral from your GP. More information about pregnancy and childbirth in the Dutch health care system.

Important: uninsured/insured outside the Netherlands
If you are uninsured or insured outside the Netherlands, you must pay a deposit of 350 Euros in advance at the registration desk.  For more information please see the page on Uninsured or insured outside the Netherlands.

Links

Are you thinking about delivering in Amstelland Hospital? Or would you rather have a home delivery but for the certainty, would like information about delivering in the hospital? Then this information evening is intended for you! 

What should you bring with you for the birth?

  • Clothing: comfortable clothing for the birth (t-shirt or night dress), approximately 5 (large) pairs of knickers, (breastfeeding) bra, night clothes, dressing gown, slippers, bath slippers.
  • Toiletries:  comb or brush, shower gel, shampoo, deodorant, toothbrush and toothpaste. Towels and flannels are available.
  • Any items for relaxation: hot water bottle, magazines, discman/MP3 player/ iPod.
  • Other: a valid identification document, valid insurance certificate for you and your partner, pregnancy card (if giving birth with a midwife), photo/video camera, telephone (and numbers), a two-euro coin for a wheelchair.
  • For your baby: three vests or bodysuits, three jumpers and trousers or all-in-ones, brush, hat, socks, child car seat.

What do you have to arrange before the birth? 

  • Maternity care: It is important to register with a maternity care organisation before the 16th week. In this region there are De Kraamvogel, De Waarden, ZINkraamzorg, TSN, Take Good Care and kraam&co.  Depending on the type of maternity care you have arranged (maternity visits, 5 or 8 hour care) the time of discharge from hospital will be set in consultation with you.
  • Registration form  (polyclinic birth): Please return the completed registration form to us.

Valuable belongings
Leave valuable belongings such as jewellery and large amounts of money at home. The hospital cannot be held liable for missing, lost or damaged goods.

When do you phone the midwife or the hospital?

  • If you have any doubts or concerns, for example: feel less movement, fever or inexplicable pain in the abdomen.
  • If you think you have loss of amniotic fluid. Check the colour; the midwife or gynaecologist will ask you about this. If possible, try to catch some of the amniotic fluid.
  • If you have any vaginal blood loss.
  • First-stage contractions occur every four to five minutes lasting one minute, for a duration of one hour.
  • On the basis of arrangements you made with the midwife or gynaecologist.

Important: uninsured/insured outside the Netherlands
If you are uninsured or insured outside the Netherlands, you must pay a deposit of 350 Euros in advance at the registration desk.  For more information please see the page on Uninsured / patients with medical insurance abroad.

Emergency admission
Sometimes, an admission at the hospital is acute, leaving little time for preparation. In case of an emergency admission, the treatment order depends on the severity of the illness or symptoms. The doctors, midwives and nurses will inform you about this as much as possible.