Childbirth

It can take some time from the first signs of labour until the start of the actual childbirth. Especially during a first pregnancy the labour can be longer. You should come to the hospital if you have contractions every 5-7 minutes during a first pregnancy and 6-10 from your second pregnancy on. If you are in doubt you can contact the midwife by phone at 011 69 98 41.

Naturally you may also come in case of blood loss, if you feel unwell and/or if you have lost the amniotic fluid. 

• Between 07h00 and 21h00 it is best to register at the reception at the main entrance of the hospital. 
• Between 21h00 and 07h00 you register at the emergency unit. 

Administrative

• identity card
• marriage certificate and health insurance records of your spouse or partner
• proof of child recognition if you are not married.
• name, address and phone number of someone we may contact during your stay in our hospital.

Medical

• blood type ID card
• Kind & Gezin baby booklet

Personalized for the mother

• toiletries, towels and washcloths
• bathrobe if you want to use the birthingbath
• nightwear, underwear, dressinggown and slippers
• if breastfeeding: a breastfeeding bra and breastfeeding pillow, breast pads
• monitor belts if you received these during pregnancy.

For the baby

• 3 towels with cap, 5 tetracloths, 5 (tetra)washcloths, 5 bibs
• 8 rompers and crawling suits / clothing in size 50 and/or 56
• socks if you have no crawling suits
• 2 hats
• a 10 sec. babythermometer (no headthermometer)
• a blanket (optional)
• the hospital provides a pack of diapers (50% discount)
• you will be offered a care set for the baby  at a discount, without obligation

We are proud of our modern birthing centre. If you like, you can make an appointment to come and have a look around before the birth. The pictures below will give you a good impression.

The labour ward is recently completely renovated and consists of 4 spacious labour rooms. The rooms are comfortably furnished, two of which also have a delivery/relaxation bath with light therapy:

• with soft and warm colors we create a homely and relaxing atmosphere.
• a comfortable bed that can be quickly and easily converted into a delivery bed.
• the necessary material to closely follow the progress of labour.
• a ball (chair) to help you with the contractions.
• an easy chair for the partner
• a digital TV and CD player/bluetooth speaker so you can play your own music if you want. 

Our colleagues give you a tour of the entire ward in this video (in dutch):

As an alternative to a conventional delivery, you can opt for an underwater delivery. Our delivery rooms have 2 delivery baths and 1 relaxation bath. During your consultation with the gynaecologist or midwife, you can obtain more information about the pros and cons of a bath birth. So be sure to mention it if you are considering a bath birth. The gynaecologist will check with you whether or not you can give birth in the bath.

The delivery proceeds largely as a traditional birth. Controlling dilation and monitoring the baby's heart tones can take place in the water. Water is a form of natural pain relief that reduces the need for medicated pain relief. Once the baby is born he is escorted to the surface of the water at a gentle pace as he is still receiving oxygen through the umbilical cord. After birth, mom and baby are installed in bed for further skin-to-skin contact. 

What do you bring?

To make your labor as pleasant as possible, it's best to bring the items below.

• Bathrobe
• Slippers or slippers
• Bikini top or sports bra (if you wish)
• Big bath towel

Before you can give birth in the birthing pool, you should read the brochure below. Here you will find more information (in dutch) about the pros and cons and how a bath birth works. At the back you will find a form that you may have to sign with your gynaecologist before giving birth to indicate that you have been sufficiently informed about the process.

The mothers partner (or one other specified person) is always welcome during the entire stay and can stay overnight if you have a single room. On a double room there is no nightly stay possible. 

Aside from the partner (or one other specified person) and the children who live with the mother, there can be 4 other visitors during the visiting hours. 

Visiting hours on the maternity ward are from 17h to 19h. Please keep the visit short, max. 1 hour, to give the mother the rest she needs.

A pregnancy ball is a useful aid during labor. A proper sitting position makes you calmer. Sitting on the ball can relieve pelvic pain and helps puff away contractions. The sitting position also helps get the baby in the right position for delivery. 

With epidural anesthesia, a small tube (catheter) is inserted into the lower back through an epidural. The skin is first numbed locally. It is important that you sit as still as possible. The epidural creates a numb feeling in the lower part of your body, from the abdominal region to the legs, this requires you to stay in bed until delivery. You will still feel your belly getting hard and you will also feel when to push but you will not feel the pain of the contractions anymore. With a cesarean section, you can still feel the gynaecologist pulling on your abdomen but you won't feel any pain. The anesthesia does not affect breastfeeding.