I moved to NL a couple of months ago and I found out that I am pregnat recently. I went to my huisdoctor and she suggested to contact a midwife. Call me close mind, but I prefer to have a doctor....

Could somebody suggest me a name of a OB/GYN in Hilversum area or Amsterdam?

Thank you in advance!!!

That is nearly impossible in NL since they think you only need a gyno if something is wrong with your pregnancy.

HOWEVER, I got one because my husband told the hospital that I would go through my pregnancy wihtout ANY prenatal appointments if I had to go to a midwife. He then told them it would be THEIR fault is somthing went wrong with me... It worked.

Thank you very much. I might try that trick,,,,

I registered with a midwife at a hosipital. asked for a downes syndrome test that meant I had to see a gynae. when i went for my appointment, i then told the gynae I wanted to stay with his practice and that was that. we talked about a 'medical reason' for this decision and figured a couple out. everything in NL seems to come down to one of two things - who you know or how you play the system!

Works that way in many places, I think. I reckon I saw two gynocologists during my four pregnancies - yet here we are, all healthy and alive! Oh, and that was in England (and one was a C-section which a doctor performed).

Midwives have a four year degree to complete covering the whole childbirth experience, with xxxx hours of practical experience, before they are allowed to practice. They aren't witchdoctors or shaman, they are there to see your child safely into the world with no pampering/fussing. They WILL listen to your wishes, and they will act on their experience (they wont force you to give birth at home if you dont want to, etc). Give me an experienced midwife over a doctor anytime.

Why would you need a doctor if you are pregnant; it's not an illness

Honestly I would say give the whole midwife thing a chance. I am seven months pregnant and I have been very happy with the care I have received. I suggest you join a practice which is located in a hospital and is affilated with the ob-gyn unit in the hospital. Just find the right pratice which is expat friendly and I bet you will be happy with the service you receive.
Good luck,
Sasha

Thank you for alll your comments girls...

I respect the opinion of everybody, but still prefer a doctor. No hard feelings!!!

I am already following the advice of a couple of you and ask for an appointment in the hospital for pre-natal testing. Let see how it goes.

Cheers,

Marianela

Mari,
I can completely understand your feelings. I just found out I was pregnant not too long ago. After much research, I did not want a midwife managing my pregnancy nor was I especially happy to hear about how they manage pain, labor and delivery or the entire pregnancy for that matter here in The Netherlands. They do not even have OBGYNS here just GYNS, there is a difference, and a 4-year midwife is not ever going to compare to a specialized doctor in my book. For example in the USA, an OBGYN studies for a minimum of 12 years.
What my husband and I opted for was to have our baby in Germany. We liked the idea that an OBGYN manages the care, and in addition we have our baby in the hospital of our choice with or with out pain meds, anesthesia etc again our choice among other services including things I never had in my home country like a physiotherapist! There were just many more options, and what we considered the best care for our baby and me.
Our insurance covers this and we have Dutch insurance. We found out most insurances covers it actually (in EU countries). There is laws that allow this, but the Dutch health care system would rather see you stay here so do not be surprised if you get “it is not possible” at first.
Just remember not to matter what anyone says this is your baby, your body and your decision. You do not have to justify your choices. If you want more info, let me know we can exchange emails. I did my homework on this and will be more than happy to share what I know. I know how hard it can be.
Good luck and congratulations

For Pregnant women (and their partners!)- this is worth coming to see:

www.thebusinessofbeingborn.com to see the trailer. Ricki Lake's controversial film about birth in America.

This will be the first screeningin the Netherlands and there will be a discussion panel to follow which will include midwives, doulas, parents and gynecologist.

Details:

DATE: April 21st, 2008 TIME:19:30
LOCATION: Keltelhuis, Westergasfabriek, Amsterdam www.ketelhuis.nl
TICKETS: €10 seating limited, reservations required: doula@birthsupport.nl

Despite all their training which is good I am sure. Midwives in the NL (1) canno tadminister medicine or pain relief and (2) have a huge chip on their shoulder (not all but the vast majority) and are reluctant to hand you over to the hospital unless THEY decide it is necessary (i.e. you and/or the baby are almost dead)

Stop scare-mongering. Having a baby in Holland is a lot safer than in many other countries in Europe. Obviously, if you had, or if you know of others who had a bad experience then this is all you'll remember. But I know loads of women who had no complications with giving birth at home.

I gave birth twice in this country (at home) with no hitches (I was considered an 'older' mother - admittedly the midwife arrived quite late when my second baby was born - but still, I'd been to birth preparation classes and therefore knew what to do. If you really feel that you will need medical intervention then your thought may become reality. Your attitude from the start is important. Plus - should you have real fears, voice them and make sure you get the midwife to you in enough time. Mine was late as I was extremely relaxed myself about the whole thing - so I guess she didn't pick up any warning signs.

Read this article on Expatica - the Editor answers two reader's questions about giving birth in NL - readers scared about the prospect. You'll find loads of good advice and some up to date information and contacts (birth preparation classes, information on the system).

http://www.expatica.com/nl/life_in/int_lif...land-38191.html

I had a wonderful birthing experince in Holland and pretty much everyone I know as well. However, facts are facts...The power of the vroedvrouw lobby in NL is way out of proportion to the limitations on their opleiding and lack of MEDICAL training.

If you are unschooled on their limitations and actual trainings, please visit the government website of the Koninklijke Nederlandse Organisatie voor Verloskundigen and the Nederlandse Vereniging voor Obstetrie en Gynacologie.

It is all about offering women choices and the guidelines for midwives in NL are aimed at limiting the patient's choices and helping the position of vroedvrouwen the society. All geared toward lowering the cost of zorg for pregnant women.

I'm a trained midwife and registered nurse. I had 2 babies here. I still would prefer a midwife than a a Dutch obgyn. I only want them around when they're needed because they only know about complicated ob work. Just by the way, choosing a obgyn does not mean you will have him or her at your bedside because most hospitals are using second line midwives anyway. they will deliver your baby and only call the obgyn when there is a problem......just thought I would share this so you make an informed decision. the MOST important is that you feel safe with your own decision. only then will you have a positive birth experience. fear can block normal delivery.

I think most expats are frightened by having a baby here. It's crazy and indeed, I agree there is a lot of fear mongering. My midwife was amazing and ultimately I ended up in the hospital, a big disappointment for me. The Dr. was really cold and unfriendly and I swear they postponed my induction because it was New Year's eve and only one doc on duty and very busy. Not the environment I wanted. We actually got into a shouting match right when I was ready to push! BUT, my point is that a midwife DOES NOT want a delivery gone bad on their heads and will send you off to the hospital for medical intervention at the FIRST HINT of trouble. Jeez, the way everyone talks you'd think they FORCE you to stick it out at home and enjoy seeing you in excruciating pain. That is crazy! And why would any woman think of giving birth as such an ordeal? I say time to stop being so afraid and time to embrace the god-given (or whomever) power we have of giving birth. Millions of women did it before you and were just fine.
That being said I appreciate any woman's right to handle their birth as they wish, I just would like to see less fear, that's all. Where did that come from?

None of my decisions surrounding how I wanted to give birth had nothing to do with fear, only personal preferences. I wanted to have a planned birth so that I would know when my baby would be born (barring nature deciding that he would come earlier), I wanted to give birth in a hospital regardless becuase I did not want to use my home for that purpose, I also wanted a c-section because it guaranteed me 5 days in the hospital away from everything and totally alone with my baby and have 24 hour support if I needed it. I wanted pain medicine not because of FEAR, but because I didn't want anything to take away from the beautiful moment during which my baby would be born, I also wanted a c-section because in weighing the million unknown things that can go wrong with a vaginal birth, I preferred the risks of a c-secition (personal choice that not everyone will make). None of these decisions had to do with fear of the Dutch way. Just personal choice. Everywoman has a right to organize her own birthing experience, even if she wants to do it in a tree.