In the Netherlands women are entitled of 16 weeks paid (either by their employers or by the Uitvoeringsinstituut Werknemers Verzekeringen – UWV) at 100% of their earnings.

Pregnancy leave (zwangerschampsverlof) can start between 4 to 6 weeks before the due date and, after birth, women are entitled to 10 weeks of childbirth leave (bevallingsverlof). This starts at the day of the delivery, independently if the child is born later than expected.

Contrary to what happen in almost all the Western Countries where it stands around 1%, in the Netherlands up to 30% of babies are born at home (thuisbevalling).

Some weeks before the due date, your insurance company supplies you with a complete home care kit (kraampakket) with all the necessary and essential means for giving birth at home.

A midwife (verloskundige), an independent medical practitioner, will follow you from week six of your pregnancy to the delivery.

It should be stressed that a midwife, even if she is very well trained, is not an obstetrician and she is supposed to assist you in case of low risk pregnancy. In case of complications, she is constantly in contact with the hospital closer to your house, which will intervene in case of need and under her call.

Please note that it is your right to give birth in a hospital (poliklinische bevalling), and you should inform your midwife if you would prefer to proceed in that way. Just check that your insurance policy would cover a hospital birth.

If your pregnancy is proceeding without complication, the regular check-ups are made by the midwife, who will take care to address you to the hospital and to specialists in case of need.