Pregnancy
Before, during and after a pregnacy you will find a number of items which
are required or usefull.
We have made a list of these for your convenience.
As soon as you know that you are pregnant you can register with our practice
and make an appointment for your first check-up. Prior to this first check-up
we will make an appointment for an echo scan at a location of your choice (in
one of the hospitals in Amsterdam or in 'De Echopraktijk').
This echo scan, which ideally would be made between 10 and 14 weeks of pregnancy
(we count from the first day of your last menstrual period), gives us a date
on which your child will be born (40 weeks).
If you are 36 years of age in the 18th week of pregnancy you might want to consider having an extra check-up upon your child. With the increase of age you have an increasing possibility of having a child with a chromosomal defect. This defect occurs when a flaw arrises in the devision of the melted egg and sperm. If you desire such a check-up or are considering it, you can make an appointment at the VU hospital ( our regional hospital) for a so-called PRINT consultation. You will need to call the policlinic obstetrics /gynaecology at number 020-4441190.
The check-up takes place between the 9th and 15th week of pregnancy. We advise you to phone in early. If you, your partner, your older child or a member of your family has a hereditary disease or defect you might qualify for aditional check-ups. If you have any questions you can call us.
Your first check-up takes about an hour. You will be asked quite a lot of question and recieve a lot of information during this initial check-up. Ofcourse we will answer any and all questions you might have. Because the amount of information might be overwhelming we will give you the information in writing after the check-up so you can read this when you get home. You can bring your partner, children or relatives, they are also welcome during the other check-ups.
We will ask you questions about physical history (possible operations, medication, etc.), allergies and eating habbits. If you have been pregnant before we will ask about the course and outcome of that as well. Furthermore we will ask you about the health of your family and possible hereditary diseases or defects which may occur in your or your partners family. You might want to think about if there is anything special we need to know or you need to look up.
Based on the results of the periodic echoscopic examination and several questions about your last menstral period we can determine when you are expection your child.
We will also take some blood of you. For all pregnant women in The Netherlands the bloodtype and rhesusfactor (e.g. O positive) are determined and the blood is examined for a number of diseases. We will also determine you hemoglobine level which is re-checked in your 30th week of pregnancy.
When this all has happened and your questions are answered we will measure your blood pressure. Finally we conduct an external examination and listen to your baby`s heartbeat. This is always a special moment!
On your following check-ups, which last about 15 minutes, we will ask about possible complaints, answer questions, provide information, measure your blood pressure and conduct an external examination. With this we are able to follow the growth, listen to your baby`s heart and from the 28th week we can determine the baby`s position in the womb. Upon indication we can do additional examinations or when complications occur send you to a specialist, usually a gyneacologist.
We all work fulltime according to a shiftlist in which consulting days and 24-hour shifts alternate. During your pregnancy, in which you will have about 10 check-ups, you will meet all of us so you will see a familiar face during labour.
Consult is according to appointment at the Johannes Verhulststraat 101 hs. This is near the small square at the Cornelis Schuytstraat. You can make an appointment by phoning 020 - 47 000 67 on monday, tuesday, wednesday or thursday between 09.00 and 12.00. If you are unable to reach us there you can always call our mobile phone by dialing 06 – 46 08 19 60.
We run an automated practice which means your pregnancy and its examinations are filed in a computer. The midwive on duty which makes the housecall uses a laptop which has all your data. On your second check-up you will recieve a print-out of your chart on which we will note the progress after each check-up. Please bring this chart each time you visit us or the hospital. This way you always have your latest medical status.
If you have (medical) pressing questions or you are about to go into labour you need to call the midwive on duty : 06 – 46 08 19 60. If you are unable to reach us the phone is probably busy, please try again after a few minutes.
If you are still unable to reach us you can page us through ATACOM by phoning 020 – 592 38 80. Someone will answer the phone and ask several question. This person will page us and we will call you immediately.