You can give birth at home, in a hospital, or in a birth center. We are happy to help you make this choice. Where can you give birth? If your pregnancy progresses without major complications, you can choose where you want to give birth. Our midwives will assist you in the place where you feel most relaxed. If you are under our care, you can choose from:
Home
Sophia Birth Center
Franciscus Gasthuis
We have a close collaboration with the Sophia Birth Center, Erasmus MC, and Franciscus Gasthuis. We visit these places almost daily and have good contacts with the gynecologists. We also regularly visit the Ikazia, Maasstad, and IJsselland hospitals. In consultation, you can also choose one of these hospitals.
What are the differences between the birth locations?
Home Birth With a home birth, you are in your own, familiar environment. This can provide relaxation and calm for both you and your partner. You have a lot of freedom of movement, privacy, and you stay in your own home.
What can you expect?
You will be assisted by our on-call midwife and a maternity nurse.
After the delivery, they will clean everything up, and you can rest in a clean bed after a shower.
You do not have to move during the delivery.
Note: In case of a medical indication, hospitalization may still be necessary. The further along you are in the delivery, the smaller this chance becomes.
Preparing for a Home Birth The midwife will bring all the necessary medical materials. You need to prepare a few practical things:
Maternity package: Make sure you have this at home.
Cellulose mats or underpads: At least 10 pieces.
Bed risers: The mattress should be at least 80 cm high (e.g., with bed blocks).
Maternity care: Arrange this in time.
Birth-proof home: Discuss with the midwife whether your home is suitable for a home birth.
Hospital bag: Make sure to have a bag with items you might need for an unexpected hospital admission.
Giving Birth in the Hospital
Sophia Birth Center You can also choose to give birth under our care at the Sophia Birth Center. The birth center is located on the 4th floor of the Sophia Children's Hospital. Here, we will assist you with the delivery as we would at home, with a midwife and a maternity nurse. At the Sophia Birth Center, you have access to a bathtub, a birthing tub, and nitrous oxide. The rooms also have their own shower and toilet, and there is space for your partner to stay overnight. You often pay a personal contribution for a delivery at the Sophia Birth Center, so check this with your health insurer. The fee allows you to stay in a birth room for 24 hours. In short, you can often stay overnight after the delivery at no extra cost.
If it becomes necessary during your delivery to transfer you to the care of a gynecologist, the medical obstetrics department is nearby.
Note: In 5-10% of non-urgent medical indications, it may not be possible to secure a spot at the Erasmus MC/Sophia Children's Hospital from the birth center. In such cases, you may be transferred to another hospital, such as Franciscus Gasthuis or Ikazia Hospital.
