Where's the pink cloud? The birth is over, Now, once at home, the postpartum period is often different from what you expected. Especially if it's your first child. Know that pink clouds don't exist. You feel happy and in love with your child, but you are also tired and recovering. The hormones plummet rapidly in the first 48 hours after giving birth. Physically and emotionally, a lot changes. Be kind to yourself. You are searching together and you and your baby are now getting to know each other well. Breastfeeding can also demand a lot of energy from you in the beginning. Keep it quiet and postpone visitors if it doesn't feel right. The most important thing for the first two weeks is rest. Rest for your body and rest for your mind. Assume that the first two weeks you will mainly be busy feeding and taking naps. A baby has a very small stomach, it needs to be filled every 2-3-4 hours. | In the first week of postpartum, the maternity nurse is there to support you. Physically recovering and realizing that you really do have a child now; unbelievable! Because the nights are very restless on average for the first 6 weeks, you are tired during the day. Make sure you have a stocked fridge and if friends ask if there is anything they can do? Let them bring groceries or food! We are medically responsible for you and available 24/7. Helpful information: |
Postpartum Maternity aide (kraamzorg)
Every pregnant woman in the Netherlands has the right to postnatal maternity care. This is unique in the world.
Kraamzorg is the term that is given to the medical service provided by a kraamverzorgende (maternity aide) to the new mother.
Maternity aide ia a trained professional who will provide a range of services.
Guiding the mother through the feeding, bathing and taking care of their baby, physically as well as emotionally. She can guide you to recognise the baby's needs and how to attend to them. Assistence during a home birth. Besides the fact that the dutch midwives are medical professionals/paramedics with specialisation in birth, prenatal and postnatal care and paediatrics, the kraamverzorgende (maternity aide) is also trained to assist the midwive during a homebirth.
Monitoring the health of the mother and newborn baby. She reports back to the midwife.
Ensuring the environment is at an appropriate level of hygiene. She cleans the sanitary facilities in the house. Because she helps with light household duties she ensures you as a mother get sufficient rest.
She weighs the baby, measures the temperature and checks the healing process/stitches (if applicable) ,involution of the uterus.
Arrange kraamzorg (postnatal maternity care) in advance; They will help you get started in the first 8 days and help us with a home birth. Read more Maternity aide, Dutch Kraamzorg