The intake interview: what do you discuss and how do you prepare?
11-09-2026 — Kraamplein
When does the intake interview take place?
Once you've arranged maternity care (see When should you arrange maternity care?), the maternity care agency or independent maternity carer will get in touch during the pregnancy for an intake interview — usually around week 30 to 34. For a first child this usually happens at your home; for a subsequent child it can also be done by phone.
What's discussed?
The intake interview is meant to map out together with you what's needed, so the maternity carer can start well prepared. Topics that usually come up:
- Expectations and wishes — what you expect from maternity care, during the birth and in the week after.
- The indication — how many hours of maternity care you'll receive and what that's based on. Read more about this in How many hours of maternity care do you get?.
- Insurance — how you're insured for maternity care and what is and isn't covered.
- Feeding — whether you're planning to breastfeed or bottle-feed, so the maternity carer can align with that.
- The maternity care package and the items you'll need — see Maternity care package and checklist for exactly what should be in it.
- Your home situation — for a first child, this is often also a moment to look at whether your home is already set up safely and practically, for example the height of the bed and how the nursery is arranged.
How do you prepare?
You don't need to prepare much, but the conversation goes more smoothly if you've already thought about a few points in advance:
- Your insurance details at hand — policy number and the name of your health insurer.
- A tentative choice about feeding, even if you haven't fully decided yet — you can always adjust this later.
- Any questions you have — about the birth, the maternity week, or practical matters at home. Nothing is too small to ask.
- Who else will be around — other children, a partner who'll be (partly) home, or family helping out. This affects what the maternity carer takes on and what you or your own network handle.
Is the intake optional?
No, the intake is a standard part of the preparation, not a moment to decide whether or not to take maternity care — you've already made that choice when you selected a maternity care agency or independent maternity carer (see What to look out for when choosing maternity care?). The conversation is, however, the place to raise any doubts or special wishes, so they can be taken into account in the planning.
In short
- The intake interview usually takes place around week 30-34 of pregnancy, often at your home for a first child.
- Topics: expectations, the indication (number of hours), insurance, feeding choice, the maternity care package, and your home situation.
- Prepare with your insurance details, a tentative feeding choice, and your questions.
- Use the conversation to flag wishes and specifics early — that helps the maternity carer prepare well.
Also read A day in the maternity week: what does your maternity carer do?
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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