Register with a midwife practice (verloskundige)
In the Netherlands a midwife, not a GP or a hospital, leads normal pregnancy care. Register as soon as you know you are pregnant: you choose the practice yourself and you do not need a referral from a doctor. Checked against deverloskundige.nl on 22 September 2026.
- Who it applies to
- Everyone having a baby in the Netherlands
- On your timeline
- Paperbump schedules this usually between week 5 and week 8 of the pregnancy
- Official source
- deverloskundige.nl
- Last checked
- 22 September 2026
What else to know
The first appointment is usually around week 8 and is longer than you expect — it goes through your medical history, your partner's, and what runs in both families, so it helps to have asked your parents about high blood pressure, diabetes, chickenpox and any congenital conditions before you go. Basic Dutch health insurance covers this care, but check which practices your insurer has a contract with before you book.
Before you contact them
Who you need A midwife practice (verloskundige) you choose yourself
What to ask
- Are you taking on new clients for my due date?
- What should I bring to the first appointment?
- Who covers the practice at night and at weekends?
- Do you speak English at appointments, and in your written information?
What happens next The first appointment is usually around week 8, and it is longer than you expect.
Work out your own dates — free, nothing is sent to us