Maternity Leave in The Netherlands (holland)

Having a baby in The Netherlands, is quiet distinct from a lot of countries.

In comparison to a lot of European countries dutch maternity leave is very short. In total you get sixteen weeks leave. You can go on your maternity leave from 6-4 weeks before your due date, and from then you take 10-12 weeks after the birth of your child (even if your child arrives after your due date, and if early you still get to take your 10-12 weeks from your due date).

In dutch it is called Zwangerschap verlof (literallly translated this means pregnancy leave). You can also take at your own expense 6 months (this has to be spread out over time). This is called Ouderschap verlof (translated this is called parental leave).

The only way in which dutch maternity leave actually distinguishes it's self from other european countries is that you are entitled to FULL payment of your salary for the complete time you are on maternity leave.

If you do however go to The Netherlands and do find that you are having a baby, do realize that the Dutch do NOT view having a baby as a sickness, and in fact you get very little in the way of sympathy. However dutch midwives are superb! They get straight to the point, they are caring and can answer any of your question better than any doctor, especially as they do not try to find a nice way to put something, they get straight to the point and they will look after you.

As an extra footnote, breast feeding is heavily promoted in The Netherlands. It is not considered something you have to hide to do, and every help and consideration is given to any mother who wants to breastfeed. (the dutch are quiet and enlightened culture when it comes to things like this),