Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Giving Birth In The Netherlands
I choose to write about giving birth in the Netherlands. Childbirth in the Netherland is not treated as a medical condition and pregnant women are not treated as patients. As a result, "pregnant women are not given pain relief. The rate of epidural use in the Netherlands is low and there is an absence of anesthetists available out of ‘normal" hours (Expatica, 2012). Women are encouraged to give birth at home.
The first priority is to find a midwife. The role of the doctor or gynecologist in a normal pregnancy in The Netherlands is minor and in most cases not involved at all. This is slightly different to the UK, and a complete contrast to the United States.
In the Netherland, the first appointment will be any time from week six of the pregnancy, but more usually around ten weeks. This initial contact is the time to let the midwife know how you visualize the labor and birth process, It would have been good for me to have a midwife to talk to during my pregnancy with my second child, may I would have made different choice during my pregnancy. In the Netherland, an expectant mother can always change her midwife during their pregnancy if they do not click, or that their birth plans are disrespected. Unlike the United States, one cannot change doctors at anytime during the pregnancy. Women in the Netherlands have choices as to where they would like to deliver their baby.
The Dutch are big believers in home births so one must make it clear if they want a hospital birth and pain relief. With 30 percent of all births taking place at home, The Netherlands have the highest rate of home births in the world. In Britain home births account for 2 percent of total births, in Belgium this figure is closer to 1 percent. Similarly, 99 percent of births in the United States take place in a hospital environment.
Giving birth at home is something that I cannot even phantom, let alone no pain medication. I have a low tolerant for pain. Furthermore, I need a lot of qualified doctors and nurse available to help if complication would arise.
Mulligan, A. V. (2000, april 21). Maternity Matters: What to expect in The Netherland. Retrieved January 7, 2012, from Expatica.com
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I am like you, I wanted to be in the hospital. I always thought that my first baby would be born at home. I had a dreamy vision of it all being so peaceful and beautiful. Unfortunately that was not the case!
ReplyDeleteI was fascinated to read about how different our birthing experiences here in the US differ from those in the Netherlands. Great review.
Hello Sandra,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your review of birth in the Netherlands. I find it interesting that most mothers in the Netherlands do not use a doctor. I do not know that much about midwives but are they that highly trained? In China, birth is a major cultural affair and most Chinese women have to follow strict cultural rules regarding their births.
A very interesting perspective that you have shared Sandra. When I was pregnant with my first child, I too romanticized and imagined a home birth. However, I was strongly discouraged from doing so at my antenatal classes. At the time I remember being a bit disgruntled and thought how can someone else tell me not to do it; after all so many mothers give birth daily throughout Africa in all sorts of conditions, and their babies were healthy and strong. I also prefer all things natural and use doctors as a last resort. Little did I know ... that I would end up having an emergency C-section. My daughter had gone into fetal distress as my placenta had ruptured. Thank goodness I had heeded the advice, as I got to enjoy watching her grow up and overcome several challenges in her life as a result of the complications at birth. I do know that the midwives in Holland are highly trained and in New Zealand, where my sister-in-law recently gave birth. She only got to see a doctor for the first time at the hospital with the midwife supporting the process. Prior to this she only interacted with the midwife and the midwife also does the follow-up care, unless more specialized help is required. This is all so fascinating.
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