Doula
As a birth doula, I can support you during your pregnancy and during the birth of your baby. Together we’ll find out what choices are important for you. With my scientific background and biological knowledge about birth, I am there for you (and your partner) during the entire birth for physical and emotional support. This is how we work together on one of the most special moments of your life.
Why would you choose me?
I am a doula with a passion for women who want to know what options they have and who want to make their own conscious choices. Women who think about why they do the things they do and who think about what matters to them. I’ll show you all possible options and support your choices with scientific research.
I am educated as a biologist (MSc) and I am a certified doula in Utrecht. I am a huge fan of supporting the natural birth process, even if you have a medical indication or if you want to give birth in a hospital. There is so much you can do to support the natural hormones during an induction or caesarean section. And you want to support your natural hormones, because they improves your birth experience, your breastfeeding (if you choose to), your recovery and bonding with your baby.
But, I wouldn’t be a doula if I only worked with my head. I like to feel together with you which emotions are at play and help you to relax in your head and in your body with the soft massage of rebozo, light touch massage with my hands and breathing and meditation techniques.
Furthermore, I am accessible, open, caring, loving, sensitive, understanding and open-minded and not afraid to ask critical questions. If you’ve read all the way up to here, let’s get acquainted without obligation!
What does science say about doulas?
According to research, women who have a doula attending their birth, have:
- more often a spontaneous vaginal birth (8%);
- less often the need for pain relief (10%);
- a shorter delivery (± 40 minutes);
- less often cesarean section (25%);
- less often a vacuum delivery (10%);
- less often a baby with a low Apgar score at 5 minutes (38%);
- less likely to feel the need to negatively evaluate or express negative feelings about their delivery (31%);
compared to deliveries without continuous support. (Bohren et al, 2017)
What do others say about me?
“I can recommend everyone to prepare for your birth together with Monique. She helps you by providing insight into the choices that are available. There are more than you might think right now. Which choice suits you? What are the risks from research? With this information you are a lot stronger in your shoes when you talk to care providers. Thanks to her, I now look back on a tough and at the same time beautiful birth in which my wishes were listened to. Monique was also present during the birth. Her presence gave me a lot of peace and confidence. With a smile and a tear I read back her story about gving birth. A tangible memory of one of the most special moments in my life.”
Britt Brackenie
Paula Bunt - van der Maas
Do you live within an hour's drive of Utrecht?*
Then I would like to get to know you! You can contact me from the moment you know you are pregnant, but usually between 16 and 24 weeks is ideal. Please note! In January 2025 I will be moving to Groningen and will no longer accept clients in Utrecht with a due date after December 20, 2024. If you live in Groningen, you can register with a due date from April 20, 2025!
What does it cost?
Doula support
Standard doula support costs €1250 (incl. VAT, excl. travel expenses (€0,45/km), parking costs and optional other expenses).
If you have supplementary insurance, you can sometimes get a partial reimbursement.
What do you get?
- Get to know me 1 hour
- 2x appointment of 3 hours
- 1x appointment of 1 hour
- Support during your whole birth
- Visit after birth
- Final visit of 2 hours to end the support and to receive the birth story
- Always available by phone and whatsapp
- Free use of my birth ball and my Elle TENS birthTENS
€1250
Doula support + private course
Doula support plus a private birth course costs €1450 (incl. VAT, excl. travel expenses (€0,45/km), parking costs and optional other expenses).
If you have supplementary insurance, you can sometimes get a partial reimbursement.
What do you get?
- Get to know me 1 hour
- 3x appointment of 3 hours, including a complete birth course, fully tailored to your personal situation
- 1x appointment of 1 hour
- Support during your whole birth
- Visit after birth
- Final visit of 2 hours to end the support and to receive the birth story
- Always available by phone and whatsapp
- Free use of my birth ball and my Elle TENS birthTENS
€1450
Private course
If you don’t want a doula at your birth BUT you do want to know everything about birth and you want to hear this from me in a one-on-one session?
This private course costs €600 (incl. VAT, excl. travel expenses (€0,45/km) and parking costs).
If you have supplementary insurance, you can sometimes get a partial reimbursement.
What do you get?
- 3x 3 hours private birth course at your house
- Complete birth course, fully tailored to your personal situation
- Help with writing your birth plan
- Concrete tips and exercises for breathing, birth positions and mindset
- Template for your own birth plan
- Summaries in PDF handouts
- Support, before, during and after the course (by phone, whatsapp or email)