You're pregnant, yes, congratulations! What now? You don't need to go to your GP, you can register yourself directly with a midwifery practice that you feel comfortable with. You can also call us with any questions; we understand this is such an exciting time!

The first exciting scan of your little one, a welcome gift from us! We check whether the pregnancy is in the right place and whether we can see one or more babies.

Our first in‑depth meeting! We discuss your situation and health and share a lot of information. We can imagine you have many questions, and we take plenty of time for them.

From now on, your pregnancy check‑ups begin. In the first and second trimester these are every 4 weeks, then every 3 weeks. After that we see you every 2 weeks, and at the end of your pregnancy even every week!

We always measure your blood pressure, monitor the growth of your belly and listen to the baby’s heartbeat. Each time we provide information and answer all your questions.

If you wish, we can provide counselling about prenatal screening. This includes the NIPT and the 13‑ and 20‑week ultrasounds.

This is when we determine your exact due date! To do this, we measure your little one from crown to rump. We can already show you a beautiful side profile!

At the beginning of the pregnancy, we like to check your blood values to rule out conditions that could pose a risk to your baby.

Another test you can choose is the NIPT: an examination of your baby’s health at the chromosomal level that is possible from 10–11 weeks of pregnancy.

From this week on, we can hear your little one’s heartbeat with the Doppler. We do this at every check‑up, but you are welcome to come in for this as often as you like.

This is a medical ultrasound that looks for possible physical anomalies. Of course, this scan is not mandatory.

If you have not done so yet, this is the time to register for maternity care so you still have options to choose from. The maternity nurse will take care of you in the first week after birth. She monitors your family, your recovery after delivery, and your baby’s development.

We are happy to give you tips about good maternity‑care organisations.

Can’t wait to find out your baby’s gender? Book your gender scan! We do it between 15–16 weeks. You’ll get a gender gift to take home!

If you are not married or in a registered partnership, you can acknowledge your child during the pregnancy at the municipality.

Just like the 13‑week scan, we examine your little one in detail. The 20‑week scan is also a medical ultrasound; we can see more now because your baby has grown a lot bigger.

During this period, you will feel your baby’s first movements. It starts as a bubbling sensation, soon turning into unmistakable kicks and somersaults!

From this week (up to 2 weeks before your due date), you can get the whooping cough vaccine. Your body will produce antibodies and pass them on to your baby, protecting them from birth.

Want to take a course? This is the perfect time to start. From hypnobirthing and pregnancy yoga to birth prep – ask us for tips!

You have already received our online birth course. Do you want to give birth at home? In the hospital? We discuss your wishes together.

We often see iron levels drop during pregnancy. At 30 weeks, we check your levels again so you can start supplements if needed.

We don’t do this scan as standard. There are certain indications for a growth scan; if it applies to you, we will discuss it in detail.

From now on, you can start your maternity leave and take a big step back. Don’t demand too much of yourself, listen to your body, take naps during the day and alternate with gentle movement. This is a great time to fully focus on your baby’s arrival.

Towards the end of pregnancy, we use an ultrasound to check if the baby is head down.

We discuss in detail how labour can start, how to recognise contractions and broken waters, and when to call us (you can call anytime, of course!).

From now on, you have weekly appointments with us. We monitor you and your baby closely!

If you plan a home birth, start preparations now; otherwise, pack your hospital bag.

From 37 weeks, your little one is fully developed and can be born any time. Keep in mind it often takes a bit longer.

You have received our course on the postpartum period. Not gotten to it yet? Now is the perfect time to prepare for life after birth: the start of your new life as parents. Make a postpartum plan together so you know exactly what to expect from each other.

The day you have been looking forward to for so long. Is that cramp a real contraction? Around this time, you might lose your mucus plug and have strong Braxton Hicks. Exciting!

Did you know that most women (70%) give birth after their due date? The term “overdue” isn’t really accurate!

When you have contractions every 4–5 minutes for an hour that last about a minute, your labour is likely starting for real.

Most women have given birth by now, about 85%.

• Extra checks (amniotic fluid measurement, heart rate monitoring)
• Option for membrane sweep
• Option for induction (in hospital)

If needed, you will be induced.

So exciting, labour begins! As soon as contractions are regular, we come to you. At home or in hospital, we are there as you wish!

Now it really begins. The first postpartum days are often intense: you have become parents, you feel your first worries (is everything okay?), and you are recovering. No worries, we are on call for you. We visit, and call us anytime you have concerns – even at night.

What else do we do during the postpartum week? We discuss the birth in detail, check your little one and mum. We especially look at you as a family.

On this day, if desired, we also do the heel prick: a small blood draw to screen your baby for rare hereditary metabolic diseases.

The end of your first postpartum week, when maternity care wraps up. We discuss what to expect next week – no worries, we will be in touch in 1–2 weeks! This is not standard, but very much recommended!

We discuss how the past week without maternity care has gone. What challenges are you facing? How is feeding going? How is your recovery? We can also discuss contraception.

2–3 weeks after birth, we check in again. How are you all doing? How is your recovery? How is feeding? We can also discuss contraception.