{"id":396,"date":"2026-10-03T11:37:31","date_gmt":"2026-10-03T11:37:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/borderlessadvice.com\/?post_type=ba_guide&p=396"},"modified":"2026-10-03T11:37:31","modified_gmt":"2026-10-03T11:37:31","slug":"pregnancy-giving-birth-netherlands","status":"publish","type":"ba_guide","link":"https:\/\/borderlessadvice.com\/?ba_guide=pregnancy-giving-birth-netherlands","title":{"rendered":"Pregnancy and giving birth in the Netherlands: midwives, hospital and home birth"},"content":{"rendered":"

Pregnancy care in the Netherlands is often midwife-led. For a healthy, low-risk pregnancy you will commonly start with a verloskundige<\/strong> (midwife) rather than a hospital obstetrician. If medical specialist care is needed, the midwife or GP can refer you.<\/p>\n

What to arrange after a positive pregnancy test<\/h2>\n
  1. Contact a local verloskundige practice and register early.<\/li>
  2. Check your insurer’s maternity-care information and contracted providers.<\/li>
  3. Arrange kraamzorg<\/em> early; capacity can be limited.<\/li>
  4. Discuss screening, place of birth and any medical risks with your care team.<\/li>
  5. Check work leave and benefits separately if you are employed or self-employed.<\/li><\/ol>\n

    Midwife or hospital?<\/h2>\n

    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.<\/p>\n

    Where can you give birth?<\/h2>\n

    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.<\/p>\n

    Insurance and eigen risico<\/h2>\n

    Verloskundige care and kraamzorg in the basic package do not<\/strong> consume the compulsory eigen risico. Kraamzorg can nevertheless have a statutory eigen bijdrage<\/em>. In 2026, home kraamzorg has a statutory contribution of \u20ac5.70 per hour<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    Useful official information<\/h2>\n