Becoming a parent is an exciting journey, but if you’re in a new country, navigating the systems can feel overwhelming. The good news is that the Dutch healthcare system is incredibly organized and supportive when it comes to maternity and childcare. If you’re an expectant or new parent in the Netherlands, here’s what you need to know.
Pregnancy Care in the Netherlands
Pregnancy care here starts with a verloskundige (midwife), who becomes your go-to person during pregnancy. The midwife handles your check-ups, gives you advice, and prepares you for childbirth.
But here’s the key: if there are any complications during your pregnancy, you’ll be referred to a gynaecoloog (gynecologist) in the hospital. This also means you’ll give birth in the hospital under specialist care.
Postnatal Care: Kraamzorg Explained
One of the most beautiful things about having a baby in the Netherlands is kraamzorg. This is a unique postnatal service where a kraamverzorgende (maternity nurse) comes to your home to care for you after the baby is born. The standard is 49 hours over a period of ten days, with a minimum of 24 hours and maximum of 80 hours.
Here’s what they do:
- Help with baby care—bathing, feeding, and understanding your baby’s needs.
- Monitor the health of both you and your baby.
- Handle light household tasks so you can focus on healing and bonding.
The Kraamzorg doesn’t stay overnight but generally work between 3 and 8 hours a day, depending on the family’s needs. If you or your baby need extra care, the hours can be adjusted. This service is usually covered by health insurance, but there might be a small personal contribution.
To ensure you can access Kraamzorg, register early, preferably in your first trimester.
This is not just a suggestion. In 2024, around 500 families in the Netherlands missed out on kraamzorg entirely because of staff shortages, and the numbers are expected to rise. The earlier you register, the better your chances of securing a good match.
Preparing for Your Baby’s Arrival
Before your baby arrives, you’ll need to prepare a kraampakket (maternity package). This kit includes things like maternity pads, absorbent mats, sterile gauze, an umbilical cord clamp, gloves, and alcohol – basically the essentials for childbirth and postnatal care.
You’ll also need to get a few things separately, like a thermometer (not an ear thermometer) and a hot water bottle for the baby.
Here’s how you can get yours:
- Health Insurance: Some insurers provide the kraampakket as part of their coverage, especially with additional (aanvullende) insurance. Check with your insurer early if it’s not covered, you can purchase one yourself for around €20–30.
- Thuiszorgwinkel (Home Care Shop): You can borrow or buy practical items like bed raisers through these shops. Beds for example need to be at least 70cm high for the maternity nurse to work safely and yes, this is a real requirement! More information can be seen below.
- Baby Stores: If you need additional items or want to shop, great options include:
- Babypark
- Prénatal
- Kruidvat
- Baby dump
- Baby plus
- Primark for clothes
Free Baby Hampers from Baby Stores
Here’s a tip many new parents don’t know about: some of the baby stores listed above offer free baby hampers or sample boxes when you sign up for their newsletter or create an account on their website. These hampers often contain useful samples, product discounts, and helpful information for new parents. Just visit their websites and look out for sign-up offers.
Please note: this was the case at the time of publishing this blog post. Some stores may discontinue their free baby hampers in the future, so always check their website to confirm before expecting one.
The Thuiszorgwinkel
Apart from the kraampakket, your midwife will advise you to pick up a few practical items from the Thuiszorgwinkel (home care shop).
These items which constitute the kraamhulpmiddelen are free to borrow — just bring your ID and health insurance card. Your kraamzorg agency may also arrange delivery through a supplier like Medipoint, so ask during your intake appointment.
The kraamhulpmiddelen include:
• Bed raisers (klossen) — to raise your bed to the required 70–80cm height
• A bedpan (ondersteek) — used during and after delivery if you cannot easily walk to the toilet, and also used to collect the placenta during a home birth
• A back support — helpful for sitting up comfortably during labour and breastfeeding
These items are usually borrowed from around week 35–37 of your pregnancy and returned after your kraamzorg period ends.
Packing Your Hospital Bag (Ziekenhuistas)
Whether you plan to deliver at home or in the hospital, have a bag packed and ready by week 37. You never know when labour will start, and being prepared takes away one layer of stress. Here is what to include:
For you:
• ID and health insurance card
• Maternity file from your midwife
• Comfortable clothes for after delivery
• Underwear, nursing bra, and maternity pads
• Toiletries, bathrobe, and slippers
• Snacks, water, and a juice box
• Phone and charger (with your midwife’s, hospital’s, and kraamzorg agency’s numbers saved)
For baby:
• Two sets of baby clothes (size 50–56 for newborns)
• Two baby caps
• A blanket or wrap
• An infant car seat (required for the ride home)
You can get more inspiration on the PUUR website (https://www.puurgeboortecentrum.nl/en/knowledge-base/delivery/hospital-bag)
It is important to pack a hospital bag even if you are planning a home birth, just in case you need to be transferred to the hospital. It is always better to have it and not need it.
Postnatal Check-Ups by the and at the Consultatiebureau
Here’s how the timeline works after birth:
First, you register your baby at the gemeente (municipality) within three working days of birth. After registration, the municipality signals your local consultatiebureau.
In the first week, a screener from the consultatiebureau visits your home to carry out the heel prick test (blood spot screening) and a hearing test.
From around four weeks, you’ll be invited to the Consultatiebureau (Child Health Clinic) for regular check-ups. This is where babies and toddlers aged 0 to 4 years are monitored for growth and development.
Here’s what happens at the Consultatiebureau:
- Your baby’s length, reflexes, hearing, vision, lungs, and overall development are checked.
- All this information is recorded in a Groei Boekje (growth book), which becomes a record of your baby’s milestones.
- They also give advice on sleeping, playing, and other parenting topics.
- Vaccinations are provided as part of the national immunization program.
Thriving as a Parent in the Netherlands
I know that living in a new country while navigating parenthood can feel like a lot. But the Dutch system is set up to support you every step of the way—from pregnancy care with the midwife to kraamzorg and the Consultatiebureau. It’s all about helping you adjust to life with your baby and giving you the confidence to thrive as a parent.
If you have questions or need support, you don’t have to figure it out alone. Let’s walk this journey together. Send an email to mynigeria.nl@gmail.com and we will do our best to connect you with the information you need.
Rooting for you
Team myNigeria.NL
