Arranging maternity care when you've already given birth: is that still possible?
11-09-2026 — Kraamplein
Short answer: it's possible, but the choice is more limited
The advice is to arrange maternity care early in the pregnancy (see When should you arrange maternity care?), precisely because that's when you have the most choice. If you're later — or even only after the birth — that's no reason to give up: there's almost always still something possible, but availability and the choice of providers are smaller.
What you do immediately
- Call your midwife. She knows the providers in the region and often knows where there's still room — this is usually the fastest route.
- Call several maternity care providers in your region, not just one. Don't wait for callbacks that may not come.
- Call your health insurer. Some insurers actively mediate in finding care (care mediation).
See Can't find maternity care? for the full approach and what your rights are if it really doesn't work out — a minimum package of care should always be delivered.
Your hours haven't 'expired'
A common misconception: that your entitlement to maternity care lapses if you're late. That isn't the case. The indication — the number of hours you're entitled to — is only finalised after the birth anyway (see How many hours of maternity care do you get?). Registering late doesn't change that; it only limits where you can turn.
Can't the care start straight away?
If it isn't possible to start immediately, ask about deferred maternity care: care that's still provided at a later moment. The conditions vary per health insurer — see Giving birth earlier or later than expected for how that works.
In short
- Being late or having already given birth is no reason to give up; there's usually still something possible.
- Call your midwife first — she knows the region and works fastest.
- Also call several providers at once and your health insurer (care mediation).
- Your entitlement to maternity care doesn't lapse: the indication is only determined after the birth anyway.
- If care can't start straight away, ask about deferred maternity care.
Also read Can't find maternity care? How to improve your chances — and what your rights are
This article is general and informational and may be out of date or incomplete.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.
See also our Terms and conditions.