Home or hospital

When the pregnancy is healthy and normal, you may choose where you want to give birth in the Netherlands. You can choose a home birth, a birth in the birth hospital in Utrecht (Diakonessenhuis) or a hospital birth.

Research has shown that a home birth is just as safe as a hospital birth. This is because the midwife performs continuous risk selection and has the same resources at home as in the hospital. Both at home, in the birth home and in the hospital, we supervise childbirth. It is important to choose the location where you feel most comfortable.

Medical indication

If you have a medical indication, your delivery will be supervised by a gynecologist. In that case, the delivery must always take place in the hospital. You will get a medical indication if the course of your pregnancy deviates from normal. However, even during childbirth it can happen that you still get a medical indication. We are prepared for this at all times.

Giving birth at home

In the Netherlands, we have the unique opportunity to give birth at home. At home you are in your own familiar surroundings and you can relax best, which is very important for the course of your delivery. During a home birth, the maternity nurse is also present to assist us. After the birth, she will provide the initial care and care of your “young family. During a home birth we apply continuous risk selection. This allows us to detect any problems or complications in time, so that there is enough time to go to the hospital. We always contact the gynecologist immediately. In addition, we ourselves are trained to intervene in case of complications and to provide good initial care. So in such a situation you don’t have to worry; you are always in good hands.

Hospital birth

You may prefer to give birth in the hospital because you feel safer in the hospital or because circumstances at home make a hospital birth preferable. An outpatient (hospital) birth always starts at home. We will agree with you during your pregnancy when you should call us. We will then first come to your home and determine with you/you the right moment to go to the hospital. In case of complications or problems, we consult with the doctor on duty or clinical midwife. In case of a medical indication, the gynecologist will be called. If your delivery went well, you and the baby will go home as soon as possible. This can sometimes be just a few hours after your delivery! We work closely with the following hospitals:

• Birth care St.Antonius hospital. Location Utrecht, Leidsche Rijn
• Diakonessenhuis Birthplace, Utrecht
• Wilhelmina children’s hospital (WKZ), Utrecht

Cost

Giving birth in the birthing center or an outpatient birth often involves additional costs. For the exact amount and reimbursements, check with your health insurance company.