Doula Madi

Still out and about enjoying my summer holiday in South Africa. If you have any questions or enquiries, I'll still be checking in on my emails and messages. For any in-person meetings or sessions I'll be available again from 22 January.

Hope you are all still having a magical new year. I can't wait to meet you and go on this wonderful journey with you.
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Did you know that babies are growing machines? Up until the age of six months, babies grow approximately 2.5 cms per month. This number decreases to about 1.3 cms per month from seven- to twelve months.
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Hi there, friends. 🌷 Did you know that there are benefits to having a birth doula?

Evidence has shown that if a mother in labour receives continuous support throughout the birth and labour process, both mom and her baby are more likely to have a positive outcome and birth experience.

Do you have any topic or questions you'd like for me to discuss in a next post or reel? Just pop me a DM 🌿
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Each tiny yawn, each delicate sigh—newborns remind us that life's greatest wonders are found in the simplest moments.

You are a vessel of strength. Own your power, mama.

The chapters of pregnancy are filled with love stories that last a lifetime.

In the gentle rhythm of motherhood, we find strength, love and and endless miracles.

BABYMASSAGE

Verwen jij je baby weleens met een massage? Een babymassage is fijn en gezond en zorgt voor totale ontspanning van je kleintje👶.

SAVE THE DATE AMSTERDAM BRUNCHERS!

I'm here to confirm the Amsterdam October brunch will be on Tuesday 31st October 🎃👻

Stand by for venue and ticket info ✨️

Join us for a fun evening full on information about navigating your pregnancy in the Netherlands as an expat.

We're going online with our Chat with a Doula session in August.

To make it a bit more convenient for those who work late or can't travel into town, I've decided to do a live webinar sessions this month.

The webinar will start with a presentation about being pregnant and navigating your pregnancy in the Netherlands. The presentation will be followed by an opportunity to discuss any questions you might have.

Only five spots available.
Signup link is available in my Instagram bio. Alternatively, you can send me a DM or email for the link.

Date: 23 August 2023
Time: 20:00 - 21:00

Have a lovely week, and remember to let me know what you'd like me to discuss in my next doula reel.
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In the spirit of National Breastfeeding Month, I thought I'd give our expat moms in the Netherlands a nice little snippet of what to expect when it comes to breastfeeding your baby.

In general, Dutch society is very supportive of breastfeeding, whether it is at home, the work, or in public. Moms don't have to be afraid of judgment when breastfeeding their child in public. Some workplaces are even required to make special adjustments for breastfeeding mothers. Breastfeeding, in fact, is encouraged and therefore, mothers will find a lot of support groups, websites, or specialists who can guide them during the challenges.

To find a lactation consultant in your area, visit the Nederlandse Lactatiekundigen's website (nvlborstvoeding.nl). Just type in your town or address and they will show you a list of available consultants close to you.

La Leche League (llli.org/dutch) is also a very useful website. They are an international organisation that also offers support to moms and families in the Netherlands.
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Do you have any questions about doulas, pregnancy, birth or post-partum?

My next Chat with a Doula session, in Rotterdam, is this coming Monday on 31 July. These sessions are generally small and cosy, keeping the discussions informal and valuable. If you want to join, be sure to pop me a message or RSVP via QR code.
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There is little evidence on the type of food that should be eaten during labour. However, labour takes up a lot of energy, so it is important to fuel up.

Stay hydrated with water, isotonic drinks and herbal tea. Snacks like fresh fruit, nuts, sandwiches and breakfast bars are great for keep up your energy.

If you are giving birth in a hospital it is important to note that some hospitals might not allow you to eat during labour in case you need to go into surgery. So, it is always best to do your homework and discuss this with your hospital or birth centre.
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Perfectly imperfect

Sometimes we get so caught up in being perfect. Being the perfect mom, the perfect employee, the perfect partner, sharing moments of our perfect lives, that we forget to just be ourselves.

I took this photos while we were trying to set up a pose that turned out to be an epic fail. And yes, although it is not a perfect pose, I just love the pure joy that I managed to capture in this stolen moment.

So let this be a reminder that it is okay to just be you, it is okay to not be perfect, it is okay to enjoy the moments that you didn't plan for. Because all of these moments are what makes us us.

Don't miss my Chat with a Doula session this Friday in Rotterdam.

If you have any questions on pregnancy, child birth or how a doula can add value to your birth story, then this is the ideal opportunity. Let's meet up over a cup of tea to discuss your pregnancy needs, desires and questions.

Pop me a message if you'd like to join me for this session, or scan the QR code in the post.

Date: Friday, 30 June
Time: 13:30 - 14:30

Place: Ver van Hier
Kleiweg 69, 3051 GJ Rotterdam
*has a play area
On tramline 4 and 8
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Whether you want to wear the hospital gown, your own clothes or anything at all during your labour and postpartum stay at the hospital is completely up to you. 🤰🏨 However, it's always good to have some practical clothing items packed in case you need or want it during your stay at the hospital or birth centre.

What are some essential clothes you would recommend new moms pack for the hospital?
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Did you know that child birth consists out of three stages?

Stage One is when your body prepares for birth, cervix dilating and contractions growing more persistent.

Stage Two (also know as the pushing stage) is when you deliver your baby into the world.

Stage Three is the delivery of your placenta (also known as afterbirth). This generally happens in about 30 minutes after the birth of your baby.
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The next meetup will be on the 30th of June. Same place and time.
Let me know if you'd like to join for the chat and ask your questions about pregnancy and birth in the Netherlands.

Also, please share with anyone that would love to join

Happy June.

I have finalised my summer plans and I have some good news. For the months of June, July and August, I'll be in the Netherlands and available to support mamma's with pregnancy and birth.

I'll also be available for awesome summery lifestyle photoshoots.

I know that these three months tend to be tricky as a lot of people go away for summer. Which is why I've decided to celebrate summer in September (weather is not so extremely hot and it's my birthday. Win win)

So if you're in need of a Doula this summer, or know of anyone that is, now you know where to go.

Or if you would like to have your pregnancy or newborn photos taken, I'm the photographer for you.

Looking forward to your messages.

Hello to all the new faces,

I'm Madi, a certified doula based in Rotterdam.

Every once in a while I set up a 'Chat with a Doula' day where we get to meet in person, and we can discuss all your doula and birth-related questions. These are cosy, small and informal events, normally based at a café. It is about feeling at home and comfortable while discussing all your doula needs.

If you want to find out more about these events just pop me a message and I will send you all the details on my next event.
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Cliënten van onze verloskundigenpraktijk weten dat ze op ons kunnen rekenen bij hun bevalling. We zijn er voor je en blijven bij je. Maar soms gaat het toch anders en word je medisch.

Hiervoor hebben wij de perfecte oplossing: het inzetten van de Doula-service. Een doula is een getrainde professional die je ondersteunt tijdens de bevalling in het ziekenhuis. Ze is klinisch opgeleid en bekend met de medische protocollen.

De doula staat op elke mogelijke manier voor je klaar. Dat kan zijn van een rugmassage tot aan een kopje thee halen voor jou of je partner. Maar ook door in gesprek te gaan met de arts of om jou meer uitleg te geven.

Met de Doula-service blijven we betrokken bij je bevalling en zorgen we ervoor dat je kunt rekenen op maximale persoonlijke ondersteuning. 👏🏼

Meer informatie? Voor meer informatie ga naar: https://verloskundigenamsterdamzuid.nl/bevalling/doula-service/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwxYOiBhC9ARIsANiEIfYWU8zNW5kJ7kImIXvFDz31kECBA86TSO3NDkfDQwNmeRTHa9mfzAgaAuaSEALw_wcB

Auch an honour to be a part of this.

Verloskundigen Amsterdam Zuid - Doula Service Nieuw: de Doula-service Persoonlijke ondersteuning bij jouw ziekenhuisbevalling Wordt jouw bevalling plots medisch? Dan verloopt alles vaak anders dan je vooraf had gedacht. Je moet dan in het ziekenhuis bevallen en onze begeleiding gaat over naar de medische staf. En dat vinden veel vrouwen niet zo...

Whether or not you plan a hospital birth, it is always good to be prepared for one. With pregnancy, we can set up a Birth Preference List for labour, but life doesn't always go exactly as planned. So, packing a hospital bag for a hospital birth is a wise choice, even if you are planning a home birth.

Did you have a hospital birth? What did you wish you packed beforehand?
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You might have heard about vaginal seeding, but what exactly is it? And what do you need to know about it?

Vaginal seeding is when a baby is born non-vaginally, and the baby's mouth and face get wiped with mom's vaginal fluids. It is believed that the vaginal fluid contains microbes that will help the baby establish its own microbiome.

However, vaginal seeding does not come without its own risks, and research on the topic is quite limited. So, it is always best to discuss this option with your doctor or midwife. It is always best to make an informed decision that you are comfortable with.

Want to know more? Feel free to pop me a message ✉️
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Lees hier as jy nogsteeds nie seker is oor wat n doula doen nie 🥰

So, you've been seeing quite a few posts about doulas, but what exactly does a doula do? What kind of assistance can you expect from your doula?

• Your doula helps you to set up a birth preference list and empowers you to make informed decisions when it comes to your birth plans and wishes. A doula will offering evidence-based information on childbirth, breastfeeding, and postpartum care, and make sure that parents understand their birth options.

• Your doula will be a safe and comfortable space for you and your partner to discuss your birth options, wishes, and fears without the fear of judgment. When it comes to a doula, the focus is on you and your wishes. So, it is important for the doula to make sure that you feel safe enough to discuss these topics freely.

• A doula will offer physical support during labour, assisting with relaxation techniques, making sure mom stays hydrated, and making sure the mom feels as safe and comfortable in her environment, as possible.

• A doula provides emotional support to a mother throughout her pregnancy, labour, and birth. They provide a listening ear, offer unbiased advice, and act as a source of strength for the parents.

If you want to know more about doulas, and what exactly to expect when booking a doula just pop me a DM. I'd love to answer your questions, and we can even discuss it all over a cup of coffee 🌷
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On top of all things doula and photography, I also love creating these portraits for young families.

This is a family portrait I created for the Jordaan family after the birth of their baby boy. I can hardly believe he is almost ten months old, already.

Slide into my DMs if you'd like a portrait of your own 🎨
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What is labour dancing? And why should you care about it?

Labour dancing is well, exactly that: Dancing for labour, in the simplest terms. It is a form of exercise or dancing that help pregnant women prepare for labour and delivery.

It can help to strengthen the muscles used during labour, improve flexibility and reduce stress, which in turn plays a part in decreasing labour pain, reducing labour time, and increasing birthing satisfaction.

Labour dancing also helps to increase the pregnant mother's confidence in her body's ability to give birth, and is a fun and enjoyable way to bond with the baby before birth.
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So, what exactly does a doula do?

A doula is a trained professional who provides unbiased emotional, physical and informational support to pregnant couples before, during and after childbirth.

The main purpose of this role is to help the mother have an empowered, safe and satisfying birth experience. This may include providing information, emotional support and physical assistance during labour, such as massage and positioning; supporting the mother's wishes; and helping the family adjust their life with a new baby.

Let me know in the comments what you would like to know about doulas.
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