NATUS – Medical and psychosocial support during the perinatal period

NATUS is a multidisciplinary team at Erasme Hospital providing preventive, medical and psychosocial support around childbirth.

The team supports expectant parents and families experiencing vulnerability or who feel they need additional support before, during or after pregnancy.

Who is NATUS for?

NATUS primarily supports expectant mothers and mothers receiving care at Erasme Hospital.

Support can begin from the time parents start planning for a child, including as part of an assisted reproduction pathway, and can continue throughout pregnancy and after the birth of the baby.

Support may be provided at the request of the patient or her family, or following a referral from a healthcare professional when vulnerability is identified during pregnancy or around the time of birth.

What support does NATUS provide?

Every situation is different. The NATUS team therefore provides support tailored to the needs of the mother, baby and family.

This may include:

• an assessment of the medical, psychological and social situation;
• support during pregnancy and after the birth;
• short-term follow-up tailored to the perinatal period;
• particular attention to the bond between parent and baby;
• referral to specialised professionals or services when additional or longer-term support is required.

Admission to a psychiatric unit may also be considered when necessary.

‘Nurture and Play’ groups, designed to support the parent–baby bond, are also currently being developed.

A multidisciplinary team

NATUS brings together professionals from a range of disciplines who work closely to provide coordinated support:

Child and adult psychiatrists
Chloé Leemans, Laurence Weets

Obstetricians and gynaecologists
Clotilde Lamy, Siham Zaytouni

Paediatrician
Adrien Guillaume

Psychologists
Julie Venegoni, Maelle Hector, Aline Cuvellier

Social workers
Laurence Bonkain, Barbara Gianneto

Midwives
Charlotte Delvigne, Marta Vaquero

NATUS coordinator
Pauline Eondes

The team meets weekly and remains in regular contact to ensure continuity and coordination of care.

Working as part of a care network

NATUS works closely with the different H.U.B. teams involved in pregnancy, childbirth and early childhood.

After the birth, the team works in particular with the Parent–Baby Unit at the Laeken site, the APPI units and day units for young children, as well as with professionals at the Children's Hospital (HUDERF) specialising in early childhood care and support.

When necessary, families may also be referred to SOS Enfants or to youth support and protection services (SAJ/SPJ).

Contact

NATUS – Erasme Hospital

Tel.: 02 555 49 44
Email: natus [dot] perinat [dot] erasme [at] hubruxelles [dot] be (natus[dot]perinat[dot]erasme[at]hubruxelles[dot]be)