Postpartum Timeline

Week 1 - Maternity home care

After giving birth, you are entitled to 7 days of postpartum care. If you stay in the hospital, you will receive postpartum care there (meaning these days will be deducted from your home care).

Maternity home care

Week 1 - Midwifes

The midwife is your primary point of contact and is responsible for you and your baby. The midwife will visit you at home a few times.

Midwifes

AT THE LATEST 3 working days after birth - register with the municipality. You must register your baby's birth within 3 working days at the municipality where he/she was born

Birth registration

Week 1 – Heel prick and hearing test

During the first week, a healthcare professional from the child health organisation will carry out a heel prick and hearing test. You can request the heel prick/hearing test here.

Newborn screening panel
and Infant hearing screening

Extra – Vitamins
From day 8 onwards, you should give your baby additional vitamins. If you are breastfeeding, give vitamins K and D. If you are bottle-feeding, give vitamin D only.

Vitamines

Within 2 weeks – Home visit by a child health nurse
During the second week, a child health nurse from the child health clinic will schedule an intake appointment, either at your home or by phone. During this introduction, you will receive information about the child health clinic and the growth guide.

Child health clinic

End of the first week – Going outside
If your baby is growing well and has a stable temperature, you can take your baby outside for the first time. Your maternity nurse or midwife will let you know when the time is right.

Going out for a walk!

End of the first week – End of care
Between days 8 and 10, care from the maternity nurse and midwife comes to an end. Care is then taken over by the child health clinic and your GP.

End of the first postpartum week

Within 4 weeks – Health insurance
The government requires parents to register their child with a health insurer within 4 months of the birth. Once registered, your baby will be insured retroactively from the date of birth for any healthcare costs incurred after birth, as well as future healthcare costs. Register your baby with the parent who has the most comprehensive coverage. Your child is insured free of charge until the age of 18. You will need your child’s citizen service number (BSN) to register them. You will receive this within 4 weeks of registering the birth.

Health insurance

Within 4 weeks – Child benefit
You are entitled to child benefit from the quarter following the birth. Within 4 weeks, you will receive a letter with further information.

Child benefit

Within 4 weeks – Child health clinic
After one month, you will have your first appointment with the child health doctor at the child health clinic.

Child allowance

6 weeks – Follow-up check
After six weeks, you will have another check-up with your midwife. If you had a medically assisted birth, this check-up may take place with your obstetrician.

Postpartum check