Pregnancy care in the Netherlands is often midwife-led. For a healthy, low-risk pregnancy you will commonly start with a verloskundige (midwife) rather than a hospital obstetrician. If medical specialist care is needed, the midwife or GP can refer you.
What to arrange after a positive pregnancy test
- Contact a local verloskundige practice and register early.
- Check your insurer’s maternity-care information and contracted providers.
- Arrange kraamzorg early; capacity can be limited.
- Discuss screening, place of birth and any medical risks with your care team.
- Check work leave and benefits separately if you are employed or self-employed.
Midwife or hospital?
Low-risk pregnancy and birth can remain under primary midwifery care. If there is a medical indication, care can move to an obstetrician or hospital team. A hospital birth is therefore not automatically specialist-led: the reason for being there matters.
Where can you give birth?
Depending on your medical situation and local options, birth may take place at home, in a birth centre, or in hospital. Home birth is an option in the Dutch system, not an obligation. A hospital/birth-centre birth without a medical indication can involve a statutory contribution; medically indicated maternity care is treated differently. Always check the current policy and provider contract with your insurer.
Insurance and eigen risico
Verloskundige care and kraamzorg in the basic package do not consume the compulsory eigen risico. Kraamzorg can nevertheless have a statutory eigen bijdrage. In 2026, home kraamzorg has a statutory contribution of €5.70 per hour.