Getting pregnant
Pregnancy is a very special moment in life, involving a lot of changes. It is smart to give it some thought before getting pregnant, because a good start is very important! We would love to tell you about quitting contraception, a healthy lifestyle and healthy nutrition.
Quitting contraception
Two out of three women use contraceptives. Therefore, many women would have to stop their contraceptive before getting pregnant. Most popular contraceptives are birth control pills and an IUD.
Removing an IUD
The IUD doesn’t influence your menstrual cycle. In case of a pregnancy wish, your home doctor or midwife will remove the device. Once removed, fertility can return immediately.
Quitting birth control pills
When you want to quit taking birth control pills, your body will have to adjust to the reduction of hormones. It may take some time for your normal menstrual cycle to return.
Your first natural menstruation is a sign that you have had a regular ovulation and you are able to get pregnant.
Mentrual cycle
Timing is key when you try to get pregnant. You are only fertile during a couple of days in your cycle: a few days before ovulating until a few hours after. Ovulation usually takes place approximately 14 days before the first day of your next menstruation. You can only get pregnant if you have intercourse in this period.
Any Questions about getting pregnant?
Taking vitamins when trying to get pregnant
Are you trying to get pregnant? In that case it is very important to have a varied diet and it might be wise to take some additional vitamins.
Folic Acid
Folic Acid, also called vitamin B11 is important for the development of blood, nerves and the nervous system of your unborn child. Besides, it helps prevent the occurrence of spina bifida. It is advised to take 400mg a day from the moment you decide to try to get pregnant. You can take this dose until 10 weeks of pregnancy.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D contributes to a healthy development of your unborn child’s bones and reduces the chance to pregnancy diabetes. Start taking 10mcg of vitamin D from the moment you try to get pregnant.
Iodine
Iodine is very important for growth and development of the brain of your unborn child during the whole pregnancy. Make sure you take in enough iodine. Bread is the most important source of iodine, as well as dairy, eggs and fish.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre
Do you want to know more about taking vitamins before and during your pregnancy? The “Voedingscentrum” (the Netherlands Nutrition Centre) is a good and reliable source of information about healthy nutrition and vitamins. The most current information can be found on their website.
The first pregnancy symptoms
A pregnancy causes a lot of changes in your body. Many women take a pregnancy test when the first symptoms start to develop. What do you need to pay attention to?
The first pregnancy symptoms are:
- Lack of menstruation
- Nausea and/or acid reflux
- Fatigue
- Iron taste in your mouth
- More bathroom visits and more vaginal discharge
- Sensitive breasts
- Emotional, mood swings
- Headache
- Better sense of smell or repulsion towards certain foods, smells or drinks
- Abdominal pains
- Back or pelvic pains
- dizziness
- Calf cramps
These are the most common pregnancy symptoms, but not all of them! It is even possible that you have a few of these symptoms without being pregnant. Always verify with a pregnancy test when you presume you are pregnant.
Family Evers
Jolanda was sent our way and what a wonderful maternity nurse she is! Thanks to her quick action regarding breastfeeding, pumping and supplementary feeding, we have had a very satisfied girl since day 4 who was able to recover well from the intense delivery. Thanks to Jolanda, I was able to really get the rest that I so desperately need to allow my body to recover from the difficult birth.
And Jolanda was so much more! A nice chat, help in the household, treasure for our eldest and support and support during the maternity tears.
Thank you very much for being able to offer us this wonderful maternity week at the last minute. And wow, how nice that Jolanda works for you and that many families can enjoy her! Thank you.
Jordy and Michelle
Our maternity nurse ‘Jill’ asked me if I would like to write a review for your site. Of course I wanted this, because we had such a wonderful maternity period!
We had the pleasure of their topper Jill. We can only say that we received tremendous help. We learned a lot from Jill. Her way of working, accessibility, patience, professionalism and the way she interacted with our son Joy matched our wishes in this care. We wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. So thanks again Jill! We miss you a bit!
Teun
“A good beginning is half the battle,” they sometimes say. This is of course extra important in maternity care. This is not about a small project, but about raising a human child.
After a difficult birth, the three of us felt the need to relax quietly. Fortunately, Patricia gave us plenty of space to do so. She was not only a good help with raising a baby, but she was a committed listening ear.
Without having spoken in detail beforehand, Patricia had a great sense of what our needs were and what our vision on education is. We really liked that few words were needed for this.
After we closed the door behind Patricia on the last maternity day, we immediately missed her pleasant company. We hope to meet her again in the future.
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We provide maternity care in the whole Zuid-Gelderland region; the area between Arnhem and Nijmegen and a number of municipalities just past the German border. We also cover the municipalities Cuijk, Grave, Mook, Molenhoek and Landerd as well as the villages Herpen, Neerloon, Overlangel and Ravenstein.