Our care

Childbirth

delivery

Going into labour with confidence

Although every birth is experienced differently and proceeds differently, during pregnancy you may develop an idea of your ideal birth. Your wishes will guide our support during the birth. Together, we will ensure that you can approach your birth with confidence.

Good preparation

Good preparation can contribute to a smooth delivery. It is advisable to discuss your questions, wishes and expectations, possibly take a pregnancy course and read up on the subject.

For example, take a look at the regional website of All About Pregnancy.In addition to various leaflets (in different languages), it also offers an interactive 360° information presentation. This tour covers all the information you need to know about your delivery. Step by step, you will discover the different delivery locations, information about the delivery and the period afterwards through photos and videos.

Preparation

Whether you wish to give birth at home or in the hospital outpatient clinic, we are here to support you. To do this as effectively as possible, we ask you to make a number of preparations in the run-up to the birth.

You can request a maternity package through your health insurer. This package contains all kinds of essentials for the birth and afterwards.
Around 30 weeks We will give you a number of leaflets to read through, including telephone instructions and tips for during the birth. This information will come in handy during an extensive consultation around 35 weeks, during which we will take the time to discuss the birth with you.
From 37 weeks It is advisable to set your bed at a minimum height of 80 cm and a maximum height of 90 cm. Even if you are not giving birth at home, your bed must be at the correct height to ensure a good working height for the maternity nurse and for us.
For both home births and outpatient births, we recommend from 37 weeks Prepare a bag with essentials in case you need to go to hospital. Think about:
- wallet with debit card, identity card and health insurance card
- toiletries
- T-shirt/top to wear during childbirth
- comfortable trousers
- underwear
- morning/bathrobe
- thick socks and regular socks
- mobile phone and charger and/or camera
- snack/drink if required
- maxicosi
- 2 baby outfits
- 2 bodysuits
- 2 bonnets
- 2 pairs of socks
- shawl/blanket
- jacket
In the event of a home birth you will need the following:
- maternity package
- 2 buckets and large bin bags
- 2 metal jugs and jug bags
- hydrophilic nappies (at least 10 pieces)
- adequate lighting
- an ironing board or small table in the room
Would you like to use a TENS device or a birthing pool during your delivery? These are available for hire at our practice. Please feel free to ask us about them!

Stages of labour

Every birth is different, but we can divide it into three stages: dilation, expulsion and the postpartum period.

Access phase

The first stage of labour is called dilation. Your uterus softens and opens under the influence of contractions. Contractions refer to the tightening of the uterine muscles. Your abdomen feels hard, usually with a pulling pain in the lower abdomen. There are different types of contractions, not all of which are equally painful.

A hallmark of effective labour contractions is that they occur very regularly, become increasingly painful, and last longer. When you have contractions every 5 minutes for about two hours, lasting for a minute each, labour has likely begun.

The following symptoms may occur during labour:

Mucus and blood loss (is it bright red and more than a sanitary towel full in half an hour? Then please call us).
Vomiting because your stomach can no longer digest the food.
Cramps in legs and calves. Stretching, massaging and applying heat can provide relief.
Shivering. This is caused by stress and changing hormones.

Expulsion phase

When you are fully dilated (10 cm), you will usually experience a feeling of pressure that turns into the urge to push. Your body is preparing to push. With your first child, this takes 1-2 hours on average. If you have already given birth before, it often takes less time.

Afterbirth phase

Now that your baby has been born, it is time for the placenta. For most women, the placenta is delivered within thirty minutes of the baby's birth.

Birth wishes

In the run-up to the birth, we would like to discuss how we can work together to ensure that you approach your delivery with peace of mind, confidence and a sense of security. In addition to information to help you prepare for the birth, at around 30 weeks we will give you a form to help you (and your partner) think about any wishes you may have for the birth. At around 35 weeks, we will take plenty of time during your appointment to discuss your wishes and ideas.

It is not mandatory to write down your birth wishes, but it can provide guidance during labour. It is also useful to make a few copies for yourself, the maternity nurse or any healthcare provider at the hospital.

Whatever you decide in terms of location or method of delivery, we are here to support you, as long as it is medically responsible. And if it is necessary to continue care under the supervision of a gynaecologist or paediatrician, we will ensure a smooth transfer.

Birthing pool

Would you like to use a birthing pool for your labour? Our team has extensive experience in assisting with water births and we can wholeheartedly recommend it. Giving birth in water has a number of advantages:

the warm water has a pain-relieving effect
it helps you relax better
you have more freedom of movement in the water
the transition for the baby is more comfortable and calmer

It is possible to give birth at home in a special bath. You can hire one from us at the practice. If you wish to give birth on an outpatient basis, it is also possible to give birth in a bath in the delivery room at Spaarne Gasthuis hospital.

When will you call us?

If you are concerned or unsure, that is always a reason to call us. Your call will never be in vain! Via the emergency number 023-2100153 A midwife is available 24/7 to discuss matters with you.

Around the time of your delivery, there are a number of moments when we will ask you to call us in any case:
• if your labour begins before 37 weeks
• if you are having contractions
• if your waters have broken
• if you have heavy bright red bleeding

If you are having contractions
In 90% of cases, labour begins with contractions. There are different types of contractions, namely preliminary contractions, dilation contractions, pushing contractions and afterpains.

1. Pre-contractions
These are irregular, vary in duration, can start weeks in advance, especially in the evening or after a busy day. The characteristic feature of pre-contractions is that they do not increase in strength and frequency. However, they are often painful. They often subside after a period of rest and after a warm bath or shower.

2. Dilatation contractions
These are regular and last a long time (approx. 60 seconds). Effective dilation contractions become increasingly powerful and last longer and longer. If you have contractions every 3 to 4 minutes that are difficult to cope with, then dilation is progressing more quickly and it is time to call us.

If it is the birth of your first child is, you can call if the contractions every 3 to 4 minutes for two hours come and hold for one minute.

With a second or subsequent child, you generally dilate more quickly. For example, you may already be 2 cm dilated without noticing due to preliminary contractions. If you have really strong contractions, it often goes faster. But even with a second or subsequent child, you still need powerful contractions to dilate.

If it's you second or subsequent child is, we give personalised call advice because the course of the previous delivery may have predictive value for this delivery.

3. Labour pains
During the final stage of dilation, you may feel the urge to defecate. This feeling can sometimes arise earlier because the baby's head is descending deeper. But when you are fully dilated (10 cm), you will experience a primal urge that cannot be stopped. Whether you want to or not, you will have to push. Pushing contractions are characterised by the fact that you cannot do anything else but push.

4. Afterpains
These contractions can occur immediately after birth or up to several days later. Often, the more times you have given birth, the more you may suffer from afterpains. Afterpains are useful in limiting blood loss after childbirth.

If your waters have broken
In 10% of cases, labour begins with the waters breaking. The waters breaking is not always accompanied by a large gush of amniotic fluid. Once the baby's head has descended, you will usually lose drops of amniotic fluid. Amniotic fluid is clear or whitish and has a sweet smell. Urine, on the other hand, is yellowish and has a strong smell. The difference between amniotic fluid loss and involuntary urine loss is that amniotic fluid continues to flow without it being possible to stop it. Always try to collect some amniotic fluid in, for example, a container, bag or bandage. Then we can check it if necessary.

Is it clear amniotic fluid and was at the previous pregnancy check-up If the baby's head has descended, call the midwife during the day.. If your waters break during the night, call your midwife the next morning (from 8.30 a.m.).

Is it clear amniotic fluid and was at the previous pregnancy check-up If the baby's head has not descended, please call us immediately., regardless of the time. If you are in the shop, for example, please go home and call us, and we will come to you.

See it amniotic fluid yellow/green/brown then you must always call immediately, The baby has defecated in the amniotic fluid. The condition of the baby must then be carefully monitored.

If you have heavy bright red blood loss
Slimy blood loss is normal. This is a sign that the cervix is ripening. Labour may begin the same day, but it may also take several days. At bright red blood loss, more than a sanitary towel full in half an hour, we would like you to always call us.