This conversation explores the experience of navigating pregnancy as an expat in the Netherlands, focusing on the role of midwives in the Dutch healthcare system. It highlights the differences in midwifery practices compared to other countries, the types of midwives available, and the empowerment of pregnant individuals in making informed decisions about their care.
Episode’s main topics
Navigating Pregnancy as an Expat in the Netherlands (0:00)
The Dutch healthcare system provides maternity care primarily through midwives, offering a unique approach for expecting parents.
Understanding the Role of Midwives (03:34)
In the Netherlands, midwives are the primary caregivers during pregnancy.
There are different types of midwives, including caseload and holistic midwives.
Basic health insurance covers midwifery care within a defined scope.
Types of Midwives and Their Specializations (06:33)
Caseload midwives offer personalized, continuous care but may require additional payment.
First-line midwives handle uncomplicated pregnancies and births.
Second-line midwives work under gynecologists for higher-risk pregnancies.
The referral system between midwives and gynecologists ensures seamless care.
Empowering Pregnant Individuals in Decision-Making (09:25)
Expecting parents are encouraged to make informed choices about their care.
The collaborative approach between care providers fosters confidence in new parents.
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About the Brabant Birth Buddies
Julianna Feron is an expat birth doula, pregnancy coach, and childbirth educator based in the Netherlands. With over five years of experience, she helps international parents navigate the Dutch maternity system and prepare for a confident, natural birth. Through her classes, pregnancy massages, and online courses, she supports expectant moms in taking charge of their birth experience.
As a mother of two and an expat herself, Julianna understands the challenges of giving birth in a foreign country. She’s passionate about empowering women with knowledge, trust in their bodies, and practical tools for labor.
In her free time, Julianna loves swimming, running, and cycling—or getting lost in her latest hyper-fixation (currently investing and public speaking!). At home, she’s usually chasing her kids around the kitchen island in the middle of an imaginary adventure.
Anna Latham is a registered nurse, childbirth educator, lactation counselor, and birth doula from the U.S. With over a decade of experience, she has supported pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum families across the U.S., Vietnam, and the Netherlands. Now based in Heeze, near Eindhoven, Anna foundedEmpowered Birth Services in 2024 to provide evidence-based education and compassionate support to growing families.
She is passionate about birth and empowering people to have positive and confident birth and breastfeeding experiences, helping them enter parenthood with knowledge and trust in their own abilities. As a mother of two, she enjoys biking, crafting, and sharing music with her daughters.
Get in Touch
Expecting Together Pregnancy and Postpartum Meetup You can find us each month at our pregnancy and postpartum meetup where we help you build your community, make friends, and answer all of your pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding, and postpartum questions! More info at pregnantineindhoven.com
Julianna Feron
Website: juliannaferon.com
Schedule a free clarity call: https://www.juliannaferon.com/booking-calendar/meeting-with-julianna
Instagram: @julianna.feron
Anna Latham
Website: empoweredbirthservices.nl
Instagram @empowered.birth.services
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555058594931
Schedule a FREE call to see how I can best support you at https://calendly.com/empoweredbirthservices/30min