Hello Ladies, My apologies for posting in English as I still haven't started my Dutch courses. I am Canadian and moving to Amsterdam or Leiden when I am 16 weeks pregnant. I want to get a planned c-section as I had an emergency c-section after 48 hours of labor with my first child and I have terrible memories from that birth experience and my child was almost dying through the process. I read online that Netherlands has the lowest c-section rate in the western world and that one can't get easily a planned c-section, unless the Dr says so. Is it possible to get a c-section in Netherlands because my first child was born through this route? I just don't want to risk losing this child and don't want to worry about it. Please let me know your thoughts and experience (even if you post in Dutch I can read with google translate). Thanks!
Hi, Are you moving because you or your partner work for an international company? If so, you dan ask around with the colleages who have good experience. Your are 16 weeks pregnant so you have enough time in the netherlands to try to find good advice. I know that most off the women who get pregnant through ivf in the netherlands, have standard medical reasons to go to the gynaecology in the hospitel for the checks during the pregnancy. Good luck and I hope you will enjoy living in the netherlands
Thank you so much Mira75 for replying. We are moving to Netherlands for my husbands job but he doesnt have anyone in his office (yet). He works for a global company but they dont have an office in Netherlands yet and he is supposed to open the first office there; either in Leiden or south of Amsterdam. We really dont know a soul in Netherlands and need to figure out everything on our own. It is a bit scary but I have been told that a lot of people can speak English and are very nice to foreigners. Thanks for welcoming me and wishing you all the best as well.
In the Netherlands pregnant women usualy go to a 'verloskundige' (=midwife) first. The midwife will ask questions about your health, the fathers healt and previous pregnancy's to get a medical anamnesis. When there are reasons to expect difficulties during the pregnancy, she wil send you to a gynaecologist. I think you should start there. Tell het what happend last time and ask what's possible for you. We do have a very low c-sectio rate, but that doesn't mean you can't get one under these circumstances. A previous c-section can be a reason for another c-section, because there's a slightly higher risk of complications during a next pregnancy or childbirth. Some midwives wil be more open-minded about having a c-section than others. When you think yours is a bit... Let's say 'old school' your free to go to another midwife and ask her. Congratulations on your pregnancy by the way!
Hi, just like the comment above me, we always go to midwife first. It will be very handy if you bring your previous pregnancy documents. Then she can really see it on paper how urgent your case was at your first pregnancy. A colleague of my husband she is from Israel and wanted a planned c-section but i believe she didnt have any medical reason for that so she couldnt get it. So she went back to Israel for both of her labor. But dont get discouraged yet, in your case there is still a chance to get a planned c-section.
After writing my previous comment I read your other post. What I discribed, Dutch women go to a verloskundige first. This is called 'first line care'. When there are special circumstamces, you go to 'second line care'. Based on your other topic, I would say you will get 2nd line care anyway. I don't think you have to worry about this too much: I think it will be likely your gynaecologist will let you choose. Maybe she will even advise on having a c-section. In the Netherlands the 'natural c-section' or 'gentle c-section' is starting to get more attention. I don't know if this is new in Canada or that it is the standard already. It's certainly something worth looking into. Dutch women usualy either deliver at home or stay in the hospital for as short a time as possible. When you have a c-section, you will stay in the hospital for a couple of days up till a week, depending on your condition. After you go home you can get 'kraamzorg', this is care for mother and child. Someone will come to your house for a couple of hours a day and check your recovery, help you take care of your baby and if she hasenough time she will also help you out with your son and the household. If your husband is working after you come home, it might be nice to have soms help around the house for a couple of days. Especially if you don't know much people her yet! I don't know what is custom in Canada, but maybe it's good to know you can get this 'kraamzorg' here. You will have to sign-up for it. Usualy you do this in the first trimester. So if you want this, don't wait to long after moving to the Netherlands (add this to the the -no doubt very long- 'to do list' you already have I guess. Also you may want to think about an health care insurance. You are obliged to have one here, but I don't know exactly what the rules are for foreigners. Anyway: if you have a Dutch healthcare insurance, all medical costs made because of your pregnancy will be paid for and also most off the cost for 'kraamzorg'.
Hi, of course first of all congratulations with your pregnancy! It's a good advice from Milika15 to bring all your pregnancy documents from the hospital so the midwife here can see your story also. When you have had a c-section you will give birth at a hospital this time. This means that the midwife will transfer you to a gynaecologist. Most of the time this happens with 36 weeks pregnancy. With him or her you'll have to discuss about a c-section. I did not get one despite my experience (emergency c-section after 38 hours). A friend of mine had more success. She did get a planned c-section after the first one. So it is possible, but definitely not easy. Arguments like being terrified after a traumatic experience will help you. If you can convince the gynaecologist that you're really not able to give birth at a natural way because you're to afraid you may have a change. Good luck and enjoy living here in the Netherlands!
With your history and current medical issues, it's perfectly possible to go straight to a gynaecologist at a hospital in Leiden or Amsterdam. No need to bother with a verloskundige, it is likely they'll just send you along to a gynaecologist anyway. Even though we still have few C-sections here, and quite a lot of home births, it is often possible to pick where and how you deliver your baby (you will need to be insistent). However, if there are no official medical reasons (medische indicaties) for certain things (to show to your insurer), it may end up costing a lot more money. Have your current doctor(s) back you up as strongly as possible in writing and be as insistent as you can. Leiden especially has quite a lot of hospitals (in a relatively small area). If you end up living here (I live in Leiden too), it will be nearly impossible to live too far away from the hospital of your choice . The LUMC really has an excellent 'afdeling gynaecologie'. It should be able to handle all your needs very well. Even so, wherever you end up, check ups and such here are going to seem sparse compared to most other western countries.