Hospital Birth
What is helpful to know if you want to give birth in the hospital?
Giving birth in the hospital
If you would like to give birth in the hospital, you can do so at any time. If you opt for a hospital birth without medical reason, then this is called an outpatient birth. In Groningen you can go to the UMCG or the Martini Hospital. We work together with both hospitals. Note: health insurers often do not reimburse all the costs of an outpatient birth. Ask your health insurance company about this.
In an outpatient birth, you give birth with your own midwife. When you call that the contractions have started, she first comes to your home. Together you decide what is a suitable moment to go to the hospital. Usually this is when you have a few centimeters of dilation and regular contractions.
Sometimes there are complications during labor that require transfer to a clinical midwife or obstetrician. Also, if you want an epidural, your own midwife may not be allowed to complete the birth. An advantage of giving birth on an outpatient basis is that pain relief is often arranged quickly and that you are already in hospital if an hand over of care is necessary.
If all goes well with you and your baby, you can go home a few hours after giving birth. If there is a medical reason to give birth in the hospital, this is called a clinical birth. You will be assisted by a clinical midwife from the hospital or an obstetrician. Sometimes you and your baby will have to stay in the hospital for one or more days for observation after the birth.
