FAQ

Yes, 99% of Dutch health insurers reimburse this online childbirth course if you have supplementary insurance. With basic insurance only, you are unlikely to be reimbursed. Suzan is affiliated with Samen Bevallen, the Dutch association of childbirth educators, which is often a condition for reimbursement. Pregnancy Course Online is registered with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce (KvK) under number 50336770.

Our Dutch website has an overview per insurer (in Dutch), with links to their own information. Our advice: always check it on your insurer’s website as well.

The invoice is in your name and states our Chamber of Commerce number and the affiliation with Samen Bevallen.

Insured outside the Netherlands? Then reimbursement depends entirely on your own insurer and policy. You can use the same invoice; ask your insurer beforehand whether they cover an online childbirth course.

On the Start now page you choose your package. Then you enter your name, email address and a password, agree to the terms and conditions, choose your payment method and click the payment button. After payment you are automatically logged in and can start with chapter 1 on the course page. In the menu you will also find Member pages with the extras of your package.

You can pay securely online with iDEAL (Dutch bank accounts), credit card, Apple Pay or PayPal, so you can also order from abroad.

Once you have signed up and are logged in, new items appear in the menu. Under Member pages → Invoice you will find your package, the date you signed up and a PDF link. Submit this invoice to your health insurer.

First check your spam or junk folder; the email sometimes ends up there. You won’t receive the invoice by email: you download it yourself under Member pages → Invoice once you are logged in. Can’t find anything? Email info@pregnancycourseonline.com.

This usually means you are not logged in. Click Log in at the top of the page, log in with the email address and password you chose, and check the menu again. Still no new menu items? Email info@pregnancycourseonline.com and we’ll help you.

Yes, you can read them here: terms and conditions.

From pregnancy to birth: this is what you will learn.

Your baby in the womb during pregnancy

• What happens in your womb
• Facts and fun facts about your baby
• Which changes and signals are normal

Hormones and birth: understand what’s happening

Hormones steer your entire labour. Once you understand how this works, giving birth feels less daunting and more logical.

• Which hormones are active during labour
• Where they are produced
• What they do
• How you can influence these hormones positively

All about contractions and the stages of labour

• What exactly a contraction is
• What a contraction feels like
• How long contractions last
• Why contractions are necessary
• The different stages of labour
• When to go to the hospital

What you and your partner can actually do

This is the most important part of the course. No vague tips, but practical techniques and proven tricks you can use straight away during labour.

• Ways to cope with contractions
• Tasks for your partner (active support)
• What not to do
• Evidence-based techniques

Pain relief and medical choices

• Medical pain relief
• Pros and cons of each option
• What if labour goes differently
• Interventions and hospital procedures explained

Breathing techniques that really work

• Simple breathing techniques
• When to use which technique
• How to stay calm and focused
• Practising at home

Life is busy, with work, social commitments and perhaps sport. It’s not ideal to spend four, seven or ten evenings on a course, often after a long working day. With the online course you watch on your computer or phone, wherever and whenever it suits you. Afterwards you are both well prepared for what’s to come.

Knowing what happens to your body during pregnancy, birth and the time after gives you confidence. Taking the course together means you both know just as much. Your partner learns what they can do during the birth, and that is a lot.

Of course you don’t have to, but it is highly recommended if you are giving birth for the first time. About 80% of women take a course during their first pregnancy.

Suzan also teaches the course in person, in Dutch, at midwifery practices and birth centres in Amsterdam, Amstelveen, Hoofddorp, Hillegom and Mijdrecht. You can sign up at bevallingscursus.nl.

When you sign up, you enter your address. Within the Netherlands you can expect an envelope within 4 working days; it is sent by regular post. Both packages include the free birthing comb. Living abroad? Delivery by post takes longer; if you have any questions about this, email info@pregnancycourseonline.com.

Yes. How labour works, the role of hormones, breathing and coping techniques, pain relief options and how your partner can support you are the same everywhere. The course is in English and online, so you can follow it from anywhere.

Suzan works within Dutch maternity care, so some practical details, such as the role of the midwife and when to go to the hospital, follow the Dutch system. Maternity care differs from country to country: always follow the advice of your own midwife, doctor or hospital.

Yes. It’s often good to refresh your knowledge, and you always learn something new. With the experience of your first birth, you can also put some of the information into context better.

Absolutely. Twins can be born naturally or by caesarean section; both are covered in the course. Send us an email after your purchase and you’ll receive extra information especially for parents expecting twins.

Yes, the course fits well alongside other pregnancy activities, such as pregnancy yoga or swimming.