How much maternity care?

In The Netherlands, you are entitled by law to maternity care for up to eight days after the birth of your child. Should the situation warrant it, this period can be extended to ten days.

If, for example, you have had to stay in hospital for four days after a caesarian section, a maximum of six days of maternity care remains.  The number of hours you are entitled to is determined during the intake meeting using the Landelijk Indicatie Protocol or LIP.  The standard number of hours is 49 divided over a period of eight days. At the commencement of the care giving period, the number of hours will be reviewed. At the halfway point, there will be another evaluation together with your midwife to determine if the number of hours allocated is sufficient. Any days spent in hospital or a birthing centre mean hours will be deducted from the total.