Having a child on your own: what's different about your maternity care?
11-09-2026 — Kraamplein
Can the indication turn out higher?
If you're a single parent, or your partner is often away for other reasons (for example, work), this can factor into the indication that your midwife or doctor determines together with you — less help from people around you in the house can be a reason for more indicated hours. This isn't automatic, so actively discuss your situation during the intake interview. Even without a medical indication, you can always buy extra hours from your maternity care organisation, if that fits your situation and budget.
Build a network around you
Without a partner covering most of the non-maternity-care hours, it's extra valuable to think beforehand about who around you can step in:
- Who can come along to midwife appointments or the hospital?
- Who do you want present at the birth, as support alongside the professional care?
- Who can help by covering a night, doing groceries, or simply keeping you company in the first weeks?
Ask for help proactively — most people around you are happy to help, but often don't know exactly what's needed until you ask concretely.
Take good care of yourself
It's natural that most of the attention goes to the baby, but you also need rest, good food and, where possible, some exercise, to stay fit enough for the care ahead. That's not a luxury, but a condition for keeping it up.
Connect with other single parents
It can help enormously to connect with other single parents — through a local parent-child centre, an online group, or people in your own circle. Recognition and practical tips from someone going through the same thing are often just a bit more valuable than well-meant advice from people in a very different situation.
In short
- Less help from your surroundings can factor into the indication — discuss this during the intake interview.
- You can also buy extra hours without a medical indication.
- Build a network beforehand: who helps with appointments, the birth, and the first weeks at home.
- Take good care of yourself — rest and food aren't a luxury, but a condition.
- Connecting with other single parents can offer valuable support and recognition.
Also read How many hours of maternity care do you get? The indication protocol in plain language
This article is general and informational and may be out of date or incomplete. It is not medical or personal advice; for your situation, what your midwife, GP or maternity care provider says applies. You cannot derive any rights from the content, and Kraamplein accepts no liability for damage arising from its use.
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