Browse Topics
Tools
Editor's choice

Learning Dutch is a must!

Sint comes to town

A guide to childcare in the Netherlands

Dutch u-turn on soft drugs tolerance

Yoga--a beginner's guide and where to take classes in the Netherlands

Report: Expatica's "i am not a tourist" Fair 2009

A parent's guide to the Dutch education system

Amsterdam grapples with integration since filmmaker's murder

Wilders debate: shouting or convincing?

Internaxx Stock Market
Index Last Var.(%)
BEL 20 2119.3 0.50
DAX 5252.45 1.50
IBEX 30 10726.8 0.59
CAC 40 3377.59 1.40
FTSE 100 4564.5 0.79
AEX 276.85 0.95
DJIA 9096.72 -0.13
Nasdaq 1975.51 0.39
FTSE MIB 20341.67 1.65
TSX Composite 10570.54 -1.74
ASX 4148.9 -0.60
Hang seng 20135.5 -2.37
Straits Times 0.00
ISEQ 20 442.48 0.27
You are here: Home Family & Kids Kids Kraamzorg – Postnatal Care in the Netherlands

09/12/2008Kraamzorg – Postnatal Care in the Netherlands

Picture a cross between the Fairy Godmother and Mary Poppins and the result might just be a kraamverzorgster, a trained health care professional that helps new mothers in the first few days after a birth. By Amanda van Mulligen

What is Kraamzorg?
Kraamzorg is a unique postnatal service for women in the Netherlands in the first eight to ten days (kraamperiode) after the birth of their baby. The purpose of kraamzorg is to aid the recovery of the mother and provide her with advice and assistance to care for her newborn. The goal is to get the mother swiftly back on her feet to independently care for her baby and return to daily life.
Kraamzorg is the reason why, in normal circumstances, hospital staff release mothers from their care within hours of giving birth in the Netherlands.


Kraamzorg Packages and Costs

Every pregnant woman in the Netherlands has the right to kraamzorg but the hours she is entitled to vary depending on her particular circumstances.
Kraamzorg is part of the basic health insurance package and your health insurance provider should cover the majority of the costs associated. However, a small individual contribution per hour of care is due. Depending on your health insurance policy, this amount may also be refundable.


The Landelijk Indicatieprotocol Kraamzorg (National Guidelines for Postnatal Care) categorises kraamzorg in three levels:
1.    Basic (Basispakket)
When: if there are no complications with the birth or recovery and no exceptional circumstances within the household.
What:
•    care for mother and baby,
•    regular health checks (e.g. that stitches are clean and healing, the uterus is shrinking),
•    advice and instruction (hygiene, feeding etc),
•    ensuring hygiene levels are high
•    basic household chores which directly relate to the care of mother and baby (such as cleaning of the bathroom, the nursery and the mother’s room and taking care of meals for the mother).

0 reactions to this article

Inside Expatica
Healthcare in the Netherlands

Healthcare in the Netherlands

Here’s a current guide to health insurance, doctors, dentists and pharmacies.

Dutch immigration and residency regulations

Dutch immigration and residency regulations

Lost in the Dutch immigration system? Look no further than this guide compiled for our Survival Guide 2009.

The Netherlands at a glance

The Netherlands at a glance

Some basic facts and figures about living and working in the Netherlands.

Giving birth in the Netherlands

Giving birth in the Netherlands

The challenges and benefits of the maternity system in the Netherlands and how it differs to other countries.