If you suffer from itching under the cast, it's best:

• Blow lukewarm/cool air behind the cast with a hair dryer (no hot air!).
• Or order a spray powder from the pharmacist.

If your cast has become severely wet, damaged, soaked or has cracks, we advise you to contact the plaster room or our emergency department. 

Your cast should not get wet and should always stay dry. Therefore, we recommend purchasing a shower cover.

It is mandatory to register your child within 15 calendardays after birth at the civil registry of the city of Sint-Truiden.

During your stay you can do this at the hospital on Tuesday or Friday morning. Ask for an appointment at the maternity ward. The declaration can also be done at the town hall of Sint-Truiden. For this you have to make an appointment: by telephone on 011 70 14 14 or online.

What do you need to bring with you?

• The identity cards of the parent(s).
• A fully completed and signed 'declaration of choice of name' document (if unmarried)
• The marriage certificate or an excerpt from the prenatal recognition
• Your baby's birth certificate will be digitally forwarded to the town hall by the maternity ward

The declaration may be made by the father or the (co-)mother, if:

• The parents are married
• Prenatal acknowledgment is established

Both parents must be present at the birth declaration, if:

• No prenatal recognition has been established and the parents are not married
• The parents are married but not living together at the same address

All activities related to breastfeeding are framed within these 10 rules of thumb. In doing so, we ensure that:

• We have a written policy on breastfeeding and we communicate it to all staff involved.
• We teach all staff involved the skills necessary to implement the policy.
• We educate all pregnant women about the benefits and practice of breastfeeding.
• We help mothers to start breastfeeding within an hour of their baby's birth.
• We explain to mothers how to latch their baby on and maintain milk production even when mother and baby need to be separated.
• Newborns are not given any food other than breast milk and no extra fluids unless on medical grounds.
• Mother and baby may stay together in the room day and night (rooming-in).
• We pursue breastfeeding on demand.
• No breastfed newborn is given a pacifier.
• Women at the end of their stay in the maternity ward are aware of the organizations that can provide assistance with breastfeeding problems.

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.

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

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. 

The emergency department is located at the back of the hospital and has a separate entrance. From the parking lot follow the sign 'ingang spoedgevallen' (emergency entrance). Please note: this entrance is closed for security and privacy reasons. You must sign in via the intercom.