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Birth care

I’m pregnant – what now?

A positive pregnancy test! You’re bound to be feeling all sorts of emotions: joy, wonder and perhaps a touch of healthy excitement. You might be wondering what you need to sort out first, or you might be brimming with other questions. Don’t worry: you don’t have to go through this alone. We’ll be right by your side from the very start. At the bottom of this page, you’ll find the most frequently asked questions about those first, special weeks of your pregnancy.

"Working together right from the start."

What should you do if you’ve just found out you’re pregnant?

Step by step

As soon as you find out you’re pregnant, a lot changes all at once. Fortunately, you don’t have to sort everything out straight away. The most important thing is that you give yourself time to get used to the idea.

At Belle Vie in Rosmalen and the surrounding area, we’re here for you right from the very start. You don’t need a referral from your GP to register with us. Do you live in Rosmalen, Den Bosch, Berlicum, Geffen, Nuland or Vinkel? If so, you can book an appointment straight away for an initial meeting and assessment.

Book your appointment and view our locations

Care tailored to your pregnancy

Every woman and every pregnancy is different. That’s why we tailor our support to your individual needs. Do you have questions about nutrition, are you feeling a bit unsure, or would you like advice on your lifestyle? We’ll take all the time you need to listen to you, understand you and support you. That way, you can enjoy your pregnancy with peace of mind and confidence.

Reimbursement for midwifery care

Midwifery care is covered by basic health insurance and does not count towards your excess. This applies to all routine check-ups, medical scans and support during your delivery. If you are giving birth as an outpatient, for example at the Jeroen Bosch Hospital, you will pay a co-payment to your insurance provider for the venue.
Your pregnancy, trimester by trimester

Steps and administrative procedures at each stage

1

Weeks 1 to 12

First trimester

The first few weeks are all about settling in, the first ultrasound scan and your health.

✓ Register with the Belle Vie midwifery practice
✓ Take folic acid and vitamin D
✓ Book your antenatal scan and any prenatal screening tests
✓ Arrange postnatal care

2

Weeks 13 to 27

Second trimester

Your energy levels often return to normal and your baby is growing rapidly.

✓ Inform your employer and arrange your maternity leave
✓ Make sure your partner recognises the baby as their own if you are not married.

3

Week 28 to the birth

Third trimester

The final stretch and preparing for the birth.

✓ Maternity pack delivered to your home
✓ Draw up your birth plan with us
✓ Get your travel bag ready
✓ Get plenty of rest and prepare for the birth

We’d be happy to ring you back

Would you like to get to know us without any obligation, or do you have any concerns at the start of your pregnancy? Leave your phone number and we’ll call you back as soon as possible.

Answers to your questions if you’ve just found out you’re pregnant

Frequently asked questions
The very first thing you should do is start taking folic acid and vitamin D. Haven’t you been taking these yet? Don’t worry, just start straight away. It’s also a good idea to get in touch with a midwifery practice straight away. At Belle Vie, you can easily register online whenever it suits you. We’ll then take our time to schedule your first appointment around the 8th week of your pregnancy. You don’t need to see your GP first; you can come straight to us.

A positive test is a special moment that often stirs up a lot of emotions. Let the news sink in for a moment and take some time to get used to the idea. You can work out your provisional due date based on the first day of your last period. After that, please feel free to get in touch with us. We’ll work with you to schedule your initial consultation and your first ultrasound scan, answer any urgent questions you may have, and ensure you can embark on this new adventure with peace of mind.

Fortunately, there’s no need to rush in the very first few weeks. The most important things during these initial weeks are to register with your midwife, take your antenatal vitamins and eat healthily. You should also register for maternity care. It’s only a bit later in the first trimester, usually between weeks 12 and 16, that you’ll start sorting out further practical matters. These include informing your employer so you can arrange your maternity leave and, if necessary, arranging for the child to be recognised if you’re not married.

You can ring us straight away or register online as soon as you have a positive test result. You do not need a referral from your GP. Are you unsure about anything, feeling anxious, or do you have questions that feel urgent to you? Then don’t wait – get in touch straight away. We’re here not just for medical check-ups, but also to support you from the very start, to listen to you and to offer reassurance.

Around the 8th week of your pregnancy, we’ll carry out your first scan: the viability scan (early scan). During this scan, we’ll check that the little heart is beating nicely and that the pregnancy is in the correct position in the womb. This is often a really lovely and reassuring moment. Around weeks 10 to 12, we’ll then carry out the dating scan, during which we’ll calculate exactly when your due date is. We set aside plenty of time for each scan, so that you can really enjoy this miracle.

Light bleeding, a bit of spotting or mild cramps in your lower abdomen are common in early pregnancy. This can be caused, for example, by implantation or the growth of your womb, and doesn’t necessarily mean that anything is wrong. Nevertheless, we fully understand that this can cause anxiety or uncertainty. Are you worried? Don’t keep it to yourself – give us a call. We’ll listen to you, give you advice and, if necessary, have a quick look with you straight away to put your mind at rest.

Yes, it’s a good idea to send a message or ring your GP to let them know you’re pregnant. Your GP will then update your medical records accordingly. This is important if, for example, you’re taking any medication or if you need a prescription in the future. This is because some medicines must not be taken during pregnancy. Are you unsure about taking your current medicines or dietary supplements? Always discuss this directly with your GP or let us know during your initial consultation.
For your baby’s health, it is important to stop smoking, drinking alcohol and taking drugs immediately. As for your diet: avoid raw meat (such as steak tartare or filet américain), raw fish (such as sushi or smoked salmon), raw-milk cheeses (au lait cru) and raw eggs. In addition, do not clean the cat’s litter tray yourself and wear gardening gloves when gardening to prevent infection with toxoplasmosis. Do you find it difficult to adjust certain lifestyle habits? Please discuss this openly with us: we won’t judge you, but will work with you to find the best way to help.
When you are about 1 month (4 weeks) pregnant, your body undergoes a huge number of hormonal changes. You may experience common early pregnancy symptoms such as tender or swollen breasts, extreme tiredness, mild digestive issues, cramps in your lower abdomen or bouts of nausea. However, every body and every pregnancy is different. Are you not noticing anything at all at the moment and feeling exactly the same as usual? Don’t worry – that’s just as normal and doesn’t indicate anything about how your pregnancy will progress.