Postpartum period or “kraamtijd”
These are the first 8 to 10 days after delivery. We will call you and visit you at home on a regular base, to see if you and your baby are okay. Are you worried about something, please call us so we can help you.
Together with the postnatal nurse we monitor if the baby is drinking well, has a good temperature ( should be between 36,6 and 37,3 ) and how often the baby poops and pees and the skin color for jaundice. The mother is also monitored on several items like blood loss and temperature.
Has your pregnancy been under full control of the gynecologist call us to subscribe for your postnatal care. As soon as you come home after birth we will take over care from the doctor.
Postnatal care or “kraamzorg”
The postnatal nurse will take care of you and your baby in the first 8 to 10 days after birth. She will nurse you and the baby help you how to take care, breastfeed and bath the baby. Everyday she will do some medical checks like temperature, pulse, and height of the womb. She will call the midwife for consultation when needed. The midwife will also come to see you in this postnatal period.
Heel prick and hearing test
These tests are done day 5 at home. Because these tests are done early several diseases can be detected and treated before any damage is done.
Please check www.rivm.nl for more information.
The hearing test is painless and takes only a few seconds. Sometimes the test needs to be repeated. Good hearing gives better development of talking and learning a language.
Breastfeeding & bottlefeeding
Breastfeeding is the best nutrition for your baby. Especially the first week your baby will get so many antibodies to prevent it from getting sick. We will give you information about breastfeeding when you visit us. Then you decide and choose what to do.
It takes time to learn how to breastfeed. The postnatal nurse will help you and you can follow a course. Try to find information on the internet, it will help you feeding successfully.
It is important to let the baby drink as soon as possible after birth. This will stimulate the milk. We will give you all the time you need to give your baby the best start. Then feed the baby at least every 2-3 hours. This will stimulate Prolactin , a hormone for stimulating milk production. Rest as much as you can. Nights are short and you will need time to recover.
Follow_up check or nacontrole
Around 6 weeks after the baby is born we would like to see you again. Most important part is to hear how you and your baby are doing. If necessary we will check your blood pressure and give you advice about anticonception and we want to hear if you still have complaints due to the delivery of the baby.
Call us 2 weeks after birth and make an appointment, ask for the midwife who helped with your delivery.
