Having a Baby in the Netherlands as an American for Expats
If you are pregnant or planning to start a family in the Netherlands, you are about to discover a maternity system that is wildly different from the US. In a mostly good way.
Home births are normal here. You get a dedicated maternity nurse who comes to your house for a week after delivery. And the whole thing costs a fraction of what it would in America.
We have talked to several Americans who had babies here on the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty (DAFT) visa, and here is what they wish they had known from the start.
How Dutch Maternity Care Works
The Netherlands has one of the most distinctive maternity systems in the world. The biggest difference from the US: midwives run the show.
Low-risk pregnancies are managed entirely by a verloskundige (midwife). You will not see an OB-GYN unless there is a medical reason. This is not a budget option. It is the standard of care.
High-risk pregnancies are transferred to a gynecologist at a hospital. Your midwife makes this call based on specific medical criteria.
Reality Check: If you are expecting the US model where an OB-GYN manages your pregnancy from start to finish, adjust your expectations. Dutch midwives are highly trained and handle the vast majority of births. Trust the system -- it has some of the best maternal outcomes in Europe.
Finding a Midwife (Verloskundige)
Start looking for a midwife as soon as you know you are pregnant. In popular neighborhoods in Amsterdam, Utrecht, and other cities, midwife practices can fill up.
How to find one:
- Ask your huisarts for recommendations
- Search verloskundigen.nl for practices near you
- Ask in expat groups for English-speaking midwives
- Check Google reviews
Your first appointment (intake) usually happens around 8-10 weeks. You will see your midwife regularly throughout pregnancy, with appointments becoming more frequent in the third trimester.
The Home Birth Question
About 13% of births in the Netherlands happen at home. This number has been dropping, but home birth is still a normal, supported option here.
You can choose to give birth:
- At home with your midwife
- At a birth center (geboortecentrum)
- At a hospital (either outpatient or with admission)
If you choose a hospital birth without a medical indication, you may pay a small out-of-pocket fee (a few hundred euros). Medically indicated hospital births are fully covered.
What We Wish We Knew: You do not have to decide immediately. Most midwife practices discuss birth preferences later in pregnancy and support whatever you choose. If you are uncomfortable with a home birth, just say so. No one will pressure you.
Kraamzorg: The Best Part
Kraamzorg (maternity care) is something the Netherlands does that the US absolutely should copy. After your baby is born, a kraamverzorgster (maternity nurse) comes to your home for about a week.
What they do:
- Check on mom's recovery and baby's health
- Help with breastfeeding
- Bathe the baby and teach you how
- Do light housework and laundry
- Prepare meals
- Monitor for postpartum complications
This is covered by your basic health insurance. You typically receive 40-50 hours of kraamzorg spread over 8-10 days. You pay a small co-pay per hour (a few euros).
Book your kraamzorg agency by week 12-14 of pregnancy. Popular agencies fill up, especially in larger cities.
What Pregnancy Care Costs
Here is the part that will make American parents emotional.
Covered by basic insurance (basisverzekering):
- All midwife appointments
- Standard ultrasounds (usually two: dating scan and 20-week anatomy scan)
- Blood tests and screenings
- Birth (home, birth center, or medically indicated hospital)
- Kraamzorg (maternity care at home)
- Postnatal checkups
Out-of-pocket costs:
- Hospital birth without medical indication: around 300-400 euros
- Extra ultrasounds beyond the standard two: 30-50 euros each
- NIPT screening (optional genetic test): partially covered, small co-pay
- Your eigen risico does NOT apply to maternity care
Compare that to the average US birth costing 10,000-30,000 dollars even with insurance. The math speaks for itself.
Registering Your Baby
After birth, you have three working days to register your baby at the gemeente (municipality). This is legally required.
What you need:
- Proof of birth (your midwife or hospital provides this)
- Parents' ID or residence permits
- Your birth certificates (bring apostilled copies from the US)
Citizenship Considerations
This is where it gets interesting for American parents in the Netherlands.
US citizenship: Your baby is a US citizen at birth if at least one parent is a US citizen who meets the physical presence requirements. You will need to register the birth with the US consulate and apply for a US passport.
Dutch citizenship: Being born in the Netherlands does not automatically make your child Dutch. Dutch citizenship follows the parents, not the birthplace. Your child will be on your DAFT residence permit as a dependent.
Contact the US consulate in Amsterdam early to understand the documentation requirements. The process takes several weeks.
Practical Tips from American Parents
Learn the Dutch approach to pain management. Epidurals are available but not automatically offered. If you want one, discuss it with your midwife early and make sure your birth plan reflects this. Hospital births make epidurals more accessible.
Prepare for directness. Dutch midwives and nurses are straightforward. They will tell you what is happening and what to do without sugarcoating it. This is their style, not rudeness.
Stock up on supplies. Your kraamzorg agency will give you a list of items to have at home before the birth. This includes things like maternity pads, baby clothes, and a specific type of bed protector.
Join a prenatal group. Many midwife practices offer group sessions where you meet other expectant parents. These are great for building a support network, especially as an expat.
Get your BSN number sorted early. You will need it for insurance and medical care, and your baby will need one too after birth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I choose to have a C-section? A: Elective C-sections are not standard practice in the Netherlands. A C-section is performed when medically indicated. If you have a strong preference, discuss it with your midwife or gynecologist early in your pregnancy.
Q: What if there is an emergency during a home birth? A: Your midwife is trained to handle emergencies and will call an ambulance if needed. Midwives carry emergency equipment and medications. Transfer to a hospital typically takes 15-30 minutes depending on your location.
Q: Is paternity leave available for DAFT visa holders? A: As a self-employed DAFT entrepreneur, you do not get employer-paid leave. However, you can take as much time off as your business allows. Birth partners get one week of government-paid leave if they are employed, but self-employed individuals need to plan their own time off.
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We're not immigration lawyers -- just Americans who did this. Requirements change, so verify with official sources.