The maternity period & beyond
Read here all about the follow-up check-up, the Centering Pregnancy follow-up day, contraception, vaginal bleeding and your pelvic floor. But also: when do you call us and when do you call the GP?
Most important things for the upcoming weeks
- Centering Pregnancy reunion day
- The amsterMAM café for all new parents (walk-in)
- Postpartum check-up
- Contraception & vaginal bleeding
- Pelvic floor
- General practitioner, child health clinic & weighing clinic
- Vitamin K&D
- Babymassage
CP reunion day
We would love to see you together with your baby and the Centering Pregnancy mother group once more. It's a chance to admire each other's babies and share experiences. If desired, we can also perform a physical check-up for you. If you prefer an earlier postpartum check-up or if you have any concerns, please contact our assistant.
The amsterMAM café for all new parents
Every first Friday of the month, during or after your parental leave: here you can meet other parents, share your experiences, and find connection. We provide coffee, tea, and cappuccinos — you’re welcome to bring a snack to share and just come as you are. Your baby is, of course, very welcome, but you’re just as welcome without your child if you need a moment for yourself.
There’s plenty of space to feed your baby, let them crawl around, and park your stroller. No pressure, no awkwardness — just a warm group of young parents finding their way together. Location: amsterMAM Noord. https://amstermam.nl/en/amstermam-cafe-amsterdam-north/
Postpartum check-up
f you have followed the regular care pathway, you can—if you wish—schedule a follow-up appointment with our assistant after six weeks. Please email mail@amstermam.nl
Contraception & vaginal bleeding
It is normal to have vaginal bleeding during the first 6 weeks after childbirth. If bleeding has not stopped after 6 weeks, please contact us.
When breastfeeding, it's challenging to predict when your menstrual cycle will resume. Breastfeeding is not a reliable contraceptive method, and before menstruation returns, ovulation can occur! The advice is to allow your body at least 9 months of rest before considering another pregnancy. Therefore, it's a good idea to think about contraception now. Not all contraceptive methods are suitable while breastfeeding. Options include Cerazette (also known as the mini-pill or breastfeeding pill), copper or Mirena IUD, Implanon, or condoms. If you are using formula feeding, all contraceptive methods are possible.
You can have an IUD placed at our practice. This is covered by basic Dutch health insurance. If you are interested, please feel free to contact us. For all other forms of contraception, you can consult your GP.
Pelvic floor
Pregnancy and childbirth place significant strain on your pelvic floor. Training your pelvic floor muscles can help prevent problems later in life. Try to build these exercises into your daily routine. For tips, see Bekkenbodem Online.
If you experience the following symptoms, please contact a pelvic floor physiotherapist: urinary incontinence, sensation of prolapse (feeling like a ball is coming out of the vagina), and/or pain in your pelvic floor.
We work closely with Bekkenkracht. Céline ter Beek holds her consultations at our Noord location, just a two-minute bike ride from the Distelweg ferry.
Vitamin K&D
When breastfeeding, it's important to give your baby daily vitamin K and D supplements starting from 8 days after birth. The recommendation is to give vitamin K for three months and vitamin D for four years.
If you are using formula feeding, giving vitamin K is not necessary because it is already included in the formula.
If you are giving a combination of breast milk and formula, you do not need to give vitamin K supplements if you give more than 500cc of formula in a 24-hour period. However, if you give less than 500cc of formula, it is advised to give vitamin K supplements.
Child health clinic & weighing appointment
From now on, the child health clinic will take over the planned care for your child. They will contact you to schedule appointments. First, they will conduct a home visit for an intake, followed by regular check-ups at the clinic. They monitor growth and development, administer vaccinations, and are available for general questions about parenting and growing up.
If you’d like to keep track of your child’s growth over the next few weeks, there are special weighing sessions at the child health clinic (consultatie bureau). You can check the times and locations online by entering your postcode at www.oktamsterdam.nl
General Practitioner
During the first 6 weeks after childbirth, we are available for questions about bleeding, stitches, and questions related to the delivery. For any questions regarding illness in yourself or the baby, it is best to contact your general practitioner. We always inform the general practitioner about your delivery and the birth of your baby.
Babymassage
Would you like to start a baby massage course in a few weeks? Baby massage is relaxing for both you and your baby, builds mutual trust, and strengthens your bond. We have the best baby masseuse in Amsterdam who offers courses at Westerdok in small groups of up to 6 parents and babies. For more information: mirjam-vos.nl.
Not on cloud nine
It is normal that the months after giving birth are not always easy or joyful. This also applies to partners. The course Better Contact with Your Baby is designed for parents of babies up to 1 year old. It is especially aimed at parents who are not “on a pink cloud.” This is a friendly and relaxed course where you attend together with your baby. During the course, you will learn how to massage your baby and have the opportunity to talk with other parents about parenting. Participation is free in various districts and open to all parents living in Amsterdam. Read more when and where you can participate. You can also join the course "In contact with your toddler" and "in contact with your preschooler".
