What my Clients Say

I am so grateful that Jennifer was there to support me during the births of both my children. The first was in the hospital and the second was a home water birth. Both experiences were intensely satisfying and empowering, which I believe had everything to do with Jennifer being there for me, for us, in the months leading up to the births and during the birthing itself.

When contractions started the first time, Jennifer came over quickly and showed me various techniques of dealing with the contractions. At one point she hung the rebozo on the door and had me squat holding on to it. At the same time, she applied pressure to the sides of my hips. I was able to fully relax and get through these very long, intense contractions that came every two minutes for hours and hours. She was there for every contraction. At one point, it seemed like a contraction was not going away and I felt myself starting to panic. Jennifer said something that instantly calmed me down. How did she even know I needed that? By the time we got to the hospital I was fully dilated, but my midwife wasn't there. The nurse told me not to push, which was confusing. Jennifer told me to listen to my body. Again, she took away uncertainty and allowed me to get back into the moment. By the way, it's important to know that my husband was also there and he of course had an important role too. But because Jennifer was there, he wasn't burdened with trying to help me deal with what was happening in my body, something he knows nothing about. Instead he and I could connect on a different level. Because he didn't have the stress of having to help me, he could actually support me much better and we could focus on each other intensely.

The second birth at home was also a full day experience. This time Jennifer also helped with the logistics of setting up the birthing pool. This being my second birth, I was more relaxed and I think Jennifer was even better this time as she is always schooling herself and getting more and more experience, and this was almost two years later. The contractions were slow and not intense and they didn't seem to be going anywhere. Jennifer kept infusing us with patience, telling us my daughter would choose when to come. So instead of be impatient, we actually had such a fun, relaxing day. With the pool in our living room, and having Jennifer and my husband supporting me (and later my sister and midwife as well), I felt like I was at a spa being pampered. We went for some walks, ate a delicious lunch and dinner. Meanwhile, Jennifer was there again for every contraction, this time using more accupuncture/pressure than last time. I don't think I've ever felt so relaxed and good ever in my life! And then suddenly my daughter was born. What an amazing moment. After the birth, Jennifer helped clean up the house and didn't leave until I had showered, we were all in bed, and she had taken pictures of the three of us going to sleep. She was there for us on every level possible: physically, spiritually, logistically, emotionally, etc. etc. She even documented the whole day on camera. My midwife said to me later that she doesn't think Jennifer is human, but that she is actually an angel. When she leaves the house, she doesn't get on her bike, no she busts out her little angel wings and flies off. I would have to agree with this assessment!

Julie Sharon 

After having Jennifer attend my second birth, it warms my heart to know that other women will benefit from her wonderful heart and hands supporting and encouraging them through what is arguably one of life's most intense experiences.

Simona

Thank you so much once again for all your strength and support during the most important day of my life. You really gave me the confidence, trust and ecouragment to help me birth safely and believe in myself and made the whole experience more special.

Fi

The birth of Minne was the most beautiful and spiritual moment in my life, you helped me to fully open up to the experience, I wish this beauty of birth for every woman! 

Rachel mother of Fee and Minnie

Birth of Lena

As a single mother-to-be and someone who very much feared childbirth, I felt it necessary to have a birthing partner. I needed a sensitive and gentle guidance with a firm and positive support, both in the last stages of pregnancy and during labor and birth. In Jennifer I found all these qualities, and discovered her special gift is knowing when to nurture, and when to stand back.

In pregnancy Jennifer was my greatest confidant. My fears and concerns were reflected back with valuable information and sincere encouragement. Together we recognised my inherent strengths and I became ready to embrace the journey ahead.

In childbirth I discovered my ultimate power as a woman. I felt Jennifer's unhindered presence in all respects, physically and spiritually. Her acupressure techniques carried me through each and every contraction. By feeling safe and confident to express all my needs I was able to remain in my body the entire time. My home became my temple of wisdom and love, and giving birth in the water to my daughter Lena was the most incredible and fulfilling experience of my life.

Louise

Birth of Ana Sofia

I arrived to Netherlands when I was six months pregnant, and in the beginning I had several questions and fears especially because here everything around childbirth is different to the rest of the world. But a friend recommended to hire a doula service and then we found Jennifer, she was really helpful for us, because she supported us with many things, such as, methodology, traditions, she answered all our questions, she went with us to follow-up appointments with midwives and to the hospital guided tour, she even supported us with the language, because we don't speak Dutch. When my contractions started she was an important support, she helped me to relax, to manage my contractions from the lights ones to the hard ones; thus, she tried to provided us with the most relaxing environment as possible, in order to be ready to receive our daughter with joy and happiness. She was like an angel for us, and for that we recommend her services highly. Thank you very much and Success Jennifer!!!

Addi, Cesar & Ana Sofia

Birth of Kars 

In 2005 ben ik bevallen van mijn eerste kind. Na een heerlijke zwangerschap en een gedegen voorbereiding was ik helemaal klaar voor. Dit deden we wel even. 

Uiteindelijk heeft het 27 uur geduurd. 27 uur weeën, rugweeën, hyperventileren, niet meer weten waar je het hebt en 1 centimeter ontsluiting. Ik heb mij zo aan mijn lot overgelaten gevoeld. Steeds keek ik reikhalzend uit naar het moment dat de verloskundige weer zou komen, en steeds ging ze weer weg met de boodschap ‘gaat goed, ga zo door, nog steeds 1 centimeter ontsluiting.’ Wel begrijpelijk want zij had nog twee bevallingen, maar ik kon wel janken.

Twee en een half jaar later zou ik dit proces weer moeten doorstaan. Al die tijd ben ik er van overtuigd geweest dat de natuur het niet zo bedoeld heeft. Dat het echt anders was gegaan als er toen iemand bij me was gebleven. Iemand die met me mee had geademd, die oefeningen met me had gedaan. Iemand die mij weer vertrouwen had kunnen geven toen ik het opgaf. Iemand die mijn vriend even had kunnen aflossen en iemand die mijn belangen had behartigd in het ziekenhuis, zodat ik niet vier keer dezelfde vragenlijst had hoeven beantwoorden tussen mijn weeën door. 

Vlak voordat ik weer zwanger werd zag ik op tv bij Aperitivo een stuk over Doula’s. Mijn gebeden waren verhoord, het kán echt anders! Via de doula-website kwam ik met Jennifer in aanraking en ons eerste telefoongesprek voelde meteen goed. Jennifer is een aantal keer voor de bevalling bij ons thuis geweest. We bespraken onze ervaringen en onze wensen. Ook vertelde Jennifer haar ervaringen en gaf zij aan hoe zij erin staat. Ik denk dat het belangrijk is geweest dat niet alleen onze ideeën omtrent bevallingen maar ook onze kijk op het leven wel overeenkwam. Het is fijn om raakvlakken te hebben en je vrij te voelen bij degene met wie je zo’n intiem moment gaat delen.

Tijdens onze gesprekken kwam er bij mij veel naar boven. Ik had nu pas in de gaten dat ik wel degelijk een soort trauma had opgelopen de eerste keer en dat ik mijn boosheid kwijt moest raken voordat ik weer zou gaan bevallen. Het heeft mij erg geholpen de dingen met Jennifer te bespreken. Jennifer begreep mijn wensen en nam mijn angst weg. Wat een opluchting dat ik nu weer het vertrouwen kon hebben dat de dingen zouden gaan zoals ik dat wilde en dat ik mij volledig op de bevalling kon richten in plaats van de zaken erom heen.

3 dagen na de uitgerekende datum begon om zes uur ’s avonds de bevalling en heb ik Jennifer gebeld. Een uur later was zij bij ons en kwamen de weeën regelmatig. Precies zoals we van te voren geoefend hadden gingen wij met zijn drieën aan de slag. Op de bank. Zowel man als doula aan mijn zijde. Dit was de geborgenheid die ik de eerste keer zo gemist had. 

Ik kan niet zeggen dat bevallen nu een eitje was, maar op deze manier kon ik het verdragen.  De verloskundige en de kraamverzorgende waren ook vrijwel meteen gekomen en gebleven. De sfeer was heel intiem en geborgen. Ik had het gevoel dat ik de leiding had, had controle over mijn lichaam en vertrouwen in de mensen om mij heen. De samenwerking tussen verloskundige, doula en kraamhulp was voor zover ik dat kan beoordelen ook heel prettig en de rollen waren duidelijk. Jennifer praatte mij er doorheen, liet Ewald oefeningen met mij doen en was er voor ons.

Drie en een half uur later is onze prachtige zoon Kars geboren. Wat fantastisch! Na alle heftigheid van de bevalling heerste een oase van rust, vrede en liefde. Fijn met ons gezinnetje op de bank, wat mooi.

Dit is een ervaring die ik iedere vrouw gun, en iedere man ook – want wat een rust heeft het de mijne ook gegeven. Maar vooral gun ik ieder nieuw mensje op deze manier geboren te worden. Life is beautiful!