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Postnatal period

Guidance during the postnatal period

The first week after giving birth is special and intense. We will come by, see how you and your baby are doing, and gently help you get started in your new rhythm.

Follow-up during the postnatal period at Femme Verloskundigen The Hague
What happens after childbirth?

First rest, then rhythm

We will stay with you for a while immediately after the birth. We check how you are doing, help with the first feeding and make sure everything is in order before we go home. We will visit you regularly in the following week.

  • Checks in the first 8 days
  • Heel prick for your baby - we will administer it ourselves
  • Checking your recovery
  • Help and advice with nutrition
  • Time for your questions, nothing is crazy
Check-up during the postnatal period at Femme Verloskundigen The Hague

When do you call?

In case of fever, heavy blood loss, severe pain, concerns about your baby or a difficult emotional feeling. Are you in doubt? Always call. We are here for both of you.

070 427 76 66
Topics during the maternity week

What do we help with?

Mother's recovery

Your body recovers, physically and mentally. We pay attention to blood loss, stitches, sleep and your feelings.

Power supply

Breast or bottle feeding: we help with both. No judgement, just practical help and patience.

Together with maternity care

The maternity nurse is with you every day. We coordinate, connect and ensure one line.

We do the heel prick ourselves

We will administer the heel prick to your baby ourselves, usually around day 4. The youth health organization will visit you for the hearing test.

Emotions during the maternity week

It may feel overwhelming

Many women experience a rollercoaster of emotions in the first week, happiness, doubt, fatigue, sometimes tears for no apparent reason. That's often just part of it. We are here to discuss that with you.

Do you feel that it takes longer, or that it is harder than you expected? Call us. That's what we are there for, not just for the medical checks.

During the maternity week: check-up on mother and baby by Femme Verloskundigen The Hague
The maternity week, day by day

What happens during the maternity week?

The first week after your birth is special and intense. In the Netherlands you receive standard 49 hours of maternity care spread over 8 to 10 days. In addition, we, the midwife, will visit you and your baby several times for medical checks.

Day 1 to 3: rest and first checks

Immediately after the birth we will stay with you until everything is finalized. The maternity nurse comes for the first time the next day and stays for a few hours every day in the following days. We visit you on day 1, day 3 and day 8, more often if necessary. We check your blood loss, the stitches, your recovery and how your diet is going.

The heel prick and hearing test

We administer the heel prick to your baby ourselves, usually around day 4. A few drops of blood are used to screen for a number of rare conditions. The youth health organization will visit you between days 4 and 7 for the hearing test. We conclude with our final check around day 8.

Nutrition, without judgement

Breastfeeding or bottle feeding: we help with both. Breastfeeding can be difficult at first, sore nipples, doubts about whether your baby is getting enough, fatigue. We and your maternity nurse are ready to coach and reassure you. Is breastfeeding not possible or do you opt for bottle feeding? No problem. The most important thing is that your baby is growing and that it is workable for you.

Your recovery

Childbirth is a major event for your body. Blood loss, possible stitches, fatigue, hormone fluctuations, that's all part of it. Some women feel fit again after a week, others need weeks. Both are normal. Do you have questions or concerns about your recovery, even after the maternity week? Feel free to call us.

Emotions during the maternity week

Many women experience a rollercoaster of emotions in the first week, happiness, doubt, fatigue, sometimes tears for no apparent reason. That's often just part of it. Do you feel that it is harder than you expected, or does it take longer? Call us. That's what we are there for, not just for the medical checks.

Arrange maternity care through Femme

When you register, we will ask about your wishes for maternity care. We help you choose a reliable maternity care organization in The Hague and ensure that everything is arranged before week 16. You can read more about how we arrange this for you on our website maternity care page.

Start at the beginning: register

The postpartum period starts well if the pregnancy is well supervised. We'd love to see you.

Register