Our maternity ward is located on the fourth floor and has both single and double rooms. All rooms are equipped with the necessary comforts: TV, free internet access, refrigerator, baby bath with nursing table and recliner. The single rooms and most double rooms have bathrooms with private showers. You need to pay a supplement to stay in a single room. If you want to know the cost of your stay, you can click the button
"indicative cost calculation" to calculate how much this would cost you.
The midwife
Our midwifery team consists of about 20 midwives who all work at the three different departments: maternity ward, obstetrics ward and neonatal ward. It may well be that the midwife who was there at your birth will come to take care of you and your baby the next day. During this eventful period with so many changes, it is nice to then see a familiar face. At AZ Jan Portaels, we think it is important to provide customized care, you are more than a number to us We also try to create as much continuity of care as possible by co-operating with other midwives outside the hospital.
Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is the most natural food for your baby. By breastfeeding, you are giving your baby the best possible start in life. The very first breast milk, called colostrum, contains essential nutrients for your baby. It is fully tailored to your baby's needs, growth, immune system and environment. It is important to be well informed in advance and to prepare. You can get an extended consultation with the midwife to discuss breastfeeding. The most important thing is that you yourself stand behind your choice. After all, a happy mom makes for a happy baby.
In the delivery room, the midwife will ask you if you choose to breastfeed or bottle milk. A lot of mothers want to try breastfeeding, but are afraid it won't work out. It is wrong to assume that they will fail; after all, breastfeeding is natural. Breastfeeding often requires some practice in the beginning. It's normal that this doesn't go super smoothly in the first few days. Both you and your child need to learn this skill. Your body was made for this, so give it some time! Just think, your child won't be able to talk or crawl from day one either. The key thing to remember during the first few days of breastfeeding is patience. The midwifery team will assist you with advice and assistance. During weekdays, our lactation consultant is also present at the maternity ward. She is a breastfeeding specialist who can help you when things are difficult for a while.
Rooming-in
While staying in a single room, your partner can stay overnight. A comfortable folding bed will then be provided. We can also provide breakfast or all meals during the day for an additional charge.
Visiting hours
For the current visitation schedule, click here.
Multidisciplinary approach
The maternity ward midwives work together closely with other healthcare providers to provide the best possible care for you and your baby. For example, the paediatrician will come and check your baby extensively within the first 24h after birth. Both the gynaecologist and the physiotherapist will see you every day. During your stay, a staff member from Kind en Gezin (Child & Family) will also stop by to explain how they work. If necessary, someone from social services, the psychologist, diabetologist, sexologist,... are also always there for you.
Short hospital stay
If all goes well, you will stay in the hospital for an average of four days (including the day of delivery) after a normal delivery. Mothers who have had a C-section will stay in the hospital for an average of six days. Some mothers would like to go home a little earlier, when everything is going very smoothly. This is possible, of course. We will then make sure that you and your baby continue to be cared for at home.
It is recommended that you look for an self-employed midwife you feel comfortable with while you are pregnant. AZ Jan Portaels works together with a number of self-employed midwives in the region, allowing quality care to continue at home. You can ask your midwife about this during your consultation with her. She will be happy to help you further.
You can also find a list of all self-employed midwives yourself at www.vroedvrouwen.be. If you haven't arranged this during your pregnancy, you can discuss it with the midwives who work at the maternity ward. Together with you, the gynaecologist, and the paediatrician they will discuss whether the health condition of you and your baby allows for an early discharge from the hospital. The midwife can then arrange to follow you up at home so you can leave the hospital with peace of mind.