Week 5: Pregnancy test

Only from the fifth week of pregnancy a test can show a fully reliable result.

Week 7 – 9: Vitality ultrasound

In most cases your first ultrasound will be done vaginally because the embryo is most likely too small to see it externally. During this ultrasound they usually check:

• The beating of the heart
• Single or multiple pregnancy
• If the pregnancy is located in or outside the uterus
• If the embryo has settled in the right place in the womb
• If there are any visible abnormalities in and around the uterus

Week 8-10: First appointment with your midwife

During this first appointment with a midwife your pregnancy term is estimated and an expected due date is defined.

Week 10-16: Arranging Maternity Care

The right moment to start making arrangements for maternity care is at approximately 10 weeks of pregnancy, preferably after your pregnancy term ultrasound so that you know your correct due date.

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Week 10-12: Pregnancy term ultrasound

This pregnancy term ultrasound is meant to determine your pregnancy term by measuring the embryo.

Week 11: the NIPT (non-invasive prenatal test)

The NIPT is a blood test. A sample of blood is drawn from the mother to identify the risk of a baby born with Down Syndrome, Edward Syndrome or Patau Syndrome. This test is optional; you may choose whether you want to have it carried out or not.

Week 12: Pregnancy announcement

Many future parents prefer to announce their pregnancy to family and friends around week 12, after they have confirmation by ultrasound that the pregnancy is developing normally.

Week 12-17: 13th week ultrasound

This ultrasound is a medical review of the baby. They check for possible physical abnormalities of the baby and the placenta and the amount of amniotic fluid. This ultrasound can detect serious birth defects at an early stage.

Week 12-14: Centering Pregnancy

“Centering pregnancy” is a relatively new way of prenatal care. Centering pregnancy allows you to meet other pregnant women with more or less the same due date. During these meetings you address various themes around pregnancy, your upcoming delivery and your maternity period. There is a lot of room for open conversation, creating a supportive and supplementing group dynamic.

Week 13: Reporting your maternity leave.

Legally you are obliged to inform your employer about your pregnancy three weeks before your maternity leave. However, three weeks is a rather short notice for most employers, apart from the fact that your colleagues will probably have noticed your pregnancy earlier. Usually the big news is shared with employers and colleagues around week 13.

Besides your pregnancy announcement it is advised to discuss a few practical issues with your employer:

• When you wish to go on maternity leave
• How many days you wish to work when you return after your leave.
• If there is an opportunity to breastpump at work.

Week 14: start of the second trimester

Your first trimester has ended. Your pregnancy ailments start to diminish and your belly starts to grow. A perfect time to start arranging Maternity Care. At this stage your maternity care company has enough time to start making arrangements for you.

Week 16: Sex determination

As of week 16 the baby’s sex can be determined with almost certainty. Some people choose to plan a special ultrasound for the occasion, others wait until the 20 weeks ultrasound.

Week 17: Maternity Package

It is advised to have a maternity package at home from week 17. This package contains various items you might need in case of an unexpected home birth.

Week 19: Requesting parental leave

Legally you are entitled to parental leave (ouderschapsverlof). It is basically a request for extra free days at work. Usually these days are unpaid, unless agreed upon otherwise with your employer. Parental leave must be requested at least two months in advance.

Week 19: Structural ultrasound scan

This scan is also named the 20-weeks ultrasound. Through an abdominal ultrasound the baby’s health can be visibly checked; is it growing properly? Is there enough amniotic fluid? How is the state of the placenta? They also check again for physical abnormalities.

Week 22: Pertussis (whooping cough) vaccination (22-weeks vaccination)

If you get vaccinated, your baby also benefits from this! The pertussis vaccination protects you and your baby against developing whooping cough.

Week 22: acknowledgement of paternity

Are you and your partner unmarried? In this case your partner would have to acknowledge the baby at the municipal population affairs office. This is called a family law relationship.

Week 25: Antenatal classes

With a fixed group of pregnant women you address various issues around pregnancy, labour and birth. There is a long version: the 8 day course, and a short version: the 4 day course.

Week 25: Educational evening about breastfeeding

This course will be lectured by a lactation consultant and will provide you with information about breastfeeding. This evening is also suitable for parents that haven’t made up their minds yet about the choice to breastfeed or not.

Week 28-36: Educational evening about parenthood

Learn about parenting in an approachable way. The course is divided in two themes: “contact with your baby” and “parenting”. This evening will be lectured by a pediatric psychologist and a nurse from the consultatiebureau (Child Consultation Office).

Week 26 – 30: Intake maternity care

It is time for your intake with one of our consultants. The perfect time to clarify your expectations about maternity care.

Week 32: Birth plan

In your birth plan you define your expectations and wishes concerning labor and delivery. For example who will be joining you and where you wish to deliver your baby. You discuss this plan in advance with your partner, midwife and possibly with other people your wish to have present when you give birth. Although a birth can never be planned exactly, a birth plan may be a guideline for caregivers in case of unexpected circumstances.

Week 36: Maternity Leave

Legally you are not allowed to work past 36 weeks of pregnancy. Some choose to start their maternity leave 6 weeks before birth, others 4 weeks in advance. We particularly advise you to listen to your body. In some cases it is necessary, due to pregnancy symptoms, to reduce or stop working sooner. In this case your leave starts at 6 weeks before birth.

Week 37: Full Term Baby

You are due at 40 weeks, but three weeks before your baby is considered full term. As of 37 weeks you may safely deliver your baby at home. From week 37 keep in mind that labour can start at any moment.

Week 40: due date

A due date is always an estimate. Only 4 % of women give birth on their due date. 40 % of women give birth before their due date and 60 % after their due date. Of that 60% of women 10 % gives birth after 42 weeks. So it’s always a surprise when it is your turn!

Due to health concerns about you or your baby sometimes the best option is to perform a Caesarean section. This c-section is usually planned around 38 weeks of pregnancy.

Approximately 3,5 % of all babies are born premature, caused by a variety of reasons. In most cases extra care is required and a longer stay in hospital is a consequence.

After birth: week 5-8 Postnatal exercise ‘weer fit en in balans’ (fit and balanced again)

If you have attended a pregnancy course provided by VCC Nijmegen, the corresponding postnatal exercise course starts about 5-8 weeks after birth. The last four lessons (1 hour) are focused on physical recovery. It is the perfect way to gradually start (sport) activities in a responsible way.