IMPORTANCE OF CONTINUOUS CARE
Highlight!!
If there ever was anything so important in the first week the birth of a baby is continuous support. There is something comforting and reassuring about being supported by the same face. Why? Because for sure nobody wants and should be repeating information in a moment where there is so much to learn in a very short period of time, and the Kraam or postpartum week is simply that
Every organization works different and with a different mode of care too, but today I want to highlight a company that works very different with a model of care that you would find very assuring. I am not highlighting this organization because I am training with them, but because I love and believe in their model of working and I will explain why so that you can also weigh out whether it is an organization for your family's needs or not
In the first week of your postpartum period, there is a lot going on, so much to learn, try out, be informed about, deal with, comprehend, heal from.. the list is endless. There is also a need and importance for this transition to be as calm as possible. There is a need for this period to be as memorable as possible because birth is not simply about a healthy baby! The immediate moments after birth can set the pace for how you continue as parents. Look at it as your foundation for the next milestone. Every phase you have taken until this moment has been a milestone. Therefore, it is vital that support in this time is intentional.
Their mode of support is to keep as much as possible the same face with your family for 8 days straight. Of course; it differs during busy periods like currently post-pandemic, sickness levels are still high but they try their utmost best to match the support with the right support maternity nurses and to keep the same faces
Zorg-Vuldig or maternity nurses are trained to hold space in different realms. It starts with an intake actually and then the information is available from the moment support starts. I had the privilege to attend an Intake appointment with one of the ladies last week who does this work and I was pretty impressed by how she already builds confidence in the parents beforehand The intake information is very transparent and informative too. During the intake appointment, you are able to receive answers to questions that you have beforehand. A tip would be to write all your questions beforehand and have them ready to ask during the sitting.
The system is set in a way that is swift in how information is set up and shared with multidisciplinary teams surrounding your care. You will be pleased to know that you as a parent, have access to the same information and therefore you are sure of what is shared too. Before your information is shared with the consultatiebureau or the well-baby health clinic who take over many of the other things like weight, weighing baby regularly, advice that doesn’t need the Drs appointment etc, consent is sought after from you first
Think about it, the support is 8 days and then life really starts for you as a family unit. You need calm and assurance in those 8 days. There is a lot to adjust to and with and what better than to be supported by the same person or people. This is the reason I like this organization. Plus! They work regionally meaning regardless of your chosen hospital within the South Holland region which will be mainly LUMC or Alrijne unless it is a home birth, you will surely be supported
I wish you all the best in your choice and who knows? Maybe I will be the face that will come to support you in your postpartum period! So long! :-))))
