The birth-doula is a relatively new phenomenon in the Netherlands. We’ve always had a very good support system for (home) births with midwives (verloskundigen) and specially trained nurses (kraamverzorgenden).
In recent years, this system has eroded and births have become more medicalized, so that now many Dutch women feel the need for an extra person to accompany and support them and their partners during the early hours of labour. Abroad and especially in the United States, the doula has already proven just how important and beneficial her presence is. Women from the US living and planning to give birth in the Netherlands are looking for doulas.
You’ve come to the right place! On this site you’ll find a doula-directory with doulas across the country. We’re still growing and also, if you can’t find a doula close to home then you can always send us an e-mail and we’ll try and find one for you. Some doulas mention in the index that they speak English, others do but are too shy to mention it on the site. The best thing you can do is get in touch with the doula of your choice and see if you get along.
The doulas on the site are color-coded. Orange doulas are in training, they have finished most of their certification and are now gaining experience. Red doulas are fully certified, they have finished either the DONA-doula training or the Dutch doula course in Utrecht. Lilac doulas have learned their skills from experience.
If you have any questions regarding birth or doulas in the Netherlands, feel free to send us an e-mail using the form linked to the ‘contact’-button, and we’ll try our best to help you out.
The
value of a doula: the story of an American woman giving birth in
the Netherlands