In the Netherlands, pregnancy and childbirth is often considered a natural event that usually does not involve medical intervention. Women can choose to give birth at home under the supervision of an obstetrician. This is an important difference from the healthcare systems in some other countries, where deliveries usually take place in hospitals, with pain management and medical interventions.

In the Netherlands, midwives are medical professionals who have completed a four-year bachelors education and are qualified to supervise pregnancies and deliveries. Of course, it is possible to choose pain relief or a hospital birth, but the standard in the Netherlands is often a less invasive approach.

Biggest difference: In many countries, the hospital is the standard for childbirth, while in the Netherlands midwives and home births are more common. This can take some getting used to for new residents.