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What is maternity care?
Maternity care is there for you when you’re in the final weeks of pregnancy or have just given birth. You can rely on maternity care from one month before your due date until three months after the birth.
- During your pregnancy: you receive extra support at home, so you can get plenty of rest during the final weeks of your pregnancy.
- After your pregnancy: you get help with caring for and feeding your baby, support with light household tasks and help looking after any other children in your family. If you are a parent of an adopted baby or a stillborn baby, you can also rely on maternity care.
Why choose maternity care?
If you’re in the final weeks of pregnancy, maternity care can support you in getting plenty of rest before the birth. And once your baby has arrived, Helan Maternity Care gives you and your partner the space to look after yourselves. And to focus on your new baby and your family.
Your maternity carer supports you wherever you need it most. Whether that’s caring for your baby, looking after your other children, or helping to keep your household running smoothly. You decide.
Maternity carers are specially trained to surround you and your baby with the right care and attention. This can include light household tasks such as vacuuming, ironing and cooking. Need extra cleaning or ironing support? The team at Helan Household Help will be happy to step in.
How to request maternity care
Fill in the online request form and we’ll get in touch with you as soon as possible to arrange everything in detail.
Did you know...
you can receive up to 300 euros reimbursed for maternity care for both parents?
Practical questions and answers
How much you pay depends on your income and the number of dependants. This is calculated according to the contribution scale set by the Department of Care. Are you expecting multiples? Then the calculation is done differently. Would you like a no-obligation estimate? Feel free to get in touch.
To support you as well as possible, Helan Health Insurance reimburses €5 per hour for maternity care. A maximum of €150 per year applies, or 30 hours of maternity care per affiliated parent, per child. If both you and your partner are affiliated with Helan Health Insurance, you are therefore entitled to 60 hours of maternity care. Expecting multiples? Then you can receive up to 120 hours of care. Find out more about the reimbursements via Helan Health Insurance.
You will receive an invoice for your costs in the month following the month in which your maternity carer visited you. The invoice will always be issued in the mother’s name.
- You can ease into your new situation and make time for yourself and your baby.
- You can rely on experienced maternity carers.
- Together, you decide which tasks the maternity carer will temporarily take over.
- Affordable! Most health insurance funds provide a reimbursement.
- Whether you’re a customer of Helan Health Insurance or not, you can always submit a request.
It’s best to apply for maternity care as soon as you know you’re pregnant. That way, you can be sure support will be there when you need it.
No, you don’t have to. You can also apply for maternity care via Helan if you’re affiliated with another health insurance fund. In that case, you’ll of course request the reimbursement from your own health insurance fund.
Maternity care is available in all regions, but only within Belgium.
Maternity care and midwives both provide support around the birth of a child, but their roles differ significantly.
- Maternity care mainly focuses on supporting the mother and baby during the postnatal period, usually the first eight to ten days after birth. The maternity carer helps with baby care, offers support with breastfeeding, and looks after the mother’s wellbeing, including light household tasks and hygiene.
- A midwife supports the pregnant woman throughout the entire pregnancy, during labour and throughout the postnatal period. She provides medical care, monitors the health of both mother and baby, and can also assist with deliveries, both at home and in hospital.
You can rely on maternity care from one month before your due date until three months after the birth.
Are you expecting multiples (three babies or more)? Then you can make use of maternity care for a longer period.
“Thanks to Vicky's help, I can get more rest and give my two other kids more attention.”
What does a midwife do?
A midwife supports you throughout your pregnancy, during labour and birth, and in the weeks after. They provide medical care, monitor the health of both you and your baby, and can also assist with births, both at home and in hospital.
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During your pregnancy your midwife will monitor you medically. They help you stay as healthy and comfortable as possible throughout your pregnancy and prepare you thoroughly for your birth.
- During labour and birth your midwife can support and coach you, both during labour and during the birth itself.
- After the birth your midwife will help keep an eye on your recovery and your baby’s health. You’ll also receive advice on feeding and caring for your baby.
Why choose a midwife?
Before the birth, having a midwife visit you at home is a great complement to your medical check-ups with the gynaecologist. Your midwife can provide medical support and advice, but you’ll also have plenty of time to ask questions and share any concerns.
After the birth, you’ll have an at-home coach who supports you in caring for your baby, and for yourself too. Because that’s just as important in those first days and weeks with a new baby.
You are entitled to a reimbursement for 21 midwife visits, 12 before and 9 after your birth.
How to request support from a midwife
Complete the online application form and we’ll get in touch with you as soon as possible to arrange everything in detail.
Practical questions and answers
There are two possible ways the reimbursement can work. Ask your midwife how she operates.
- Either you pay the full fee to your midwife. You will receive a certificate of care provided, which you can submit to your health insurance fund. Your costs will then be reimbursed afterwards.
- Or you only pay the copayment to your midwife. This is the case if your midwife is not contracted. Feel free to ask her what amount is involved. Is your midwife contracted? Then you don’t pay anything at all. She will receive her fee directly via the health insurance fund.
- Please note: some midwives charge an additional administrative fee. This cost is not reimbursed by your health insurance fund. So make sure to check in advance whether any supplements apply.
