​I live in Dieren, a village situated between the river IJssel and the lush hilly landscape of the Veluwezoom. This is how I like living: on one side the vastness and the view, on the other, the shelter of the woods.
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The births of my two children set me on my life’s path. I benefited so much from the antenatal courses I took in preparation, that when our family was complete, I started training as a prenatal teacher myself in 1999. I teach the Samen Bevallen (Giving Birth Together) program where the couple attends the entire course together. The partner’s perspective, their questions and lived experience is so different. Having them present creates a more wholistic journey for all.
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In 2006, I became a doula and doula trainer. I had the honour of doing this work for over 10 years. It taught me a lot, not least of which, how vital good communication is, but it also humbled me and at the same time, made me more outspoken.
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I fell completely and utterly in love with the relaxation the Rebozo could bring to birth so I dove head first and learned all that I could. With the blessing and help of Naoli Vinaver, a Mexican midwife, Thea van Tuijl and I wrote a book on the Rebozo. This led us to begin teaching workshops all over the world so I had to end my work as a doula and doula trainer.
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I now work as a prenatal teacher and continue to travel all over Europe where I’m invited to teach about the Rebozo. That work is a journey in itself. At first it was mainly doulas to whom I passed on this knowledge, now I teach in several midwifery schools in Germany and increasingly share the magic of the Rebozo to professionals from different backgrounds. Doing this work, continues to challenge me to keep researching other possibilities and applications of the Rebozo. I am still as much in love with this beautiful fabric as I was in 2006 when I got to know it.
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Another treasure that my work has brought me are the many contacts and connections I’ve made across the globe, which are very dear to me and from which several friendships have arisen. Bella Doula Retreats was born from these connections. Coming together, exchanging experiences, learning from and enjoying each other fills my heart with pure joy like nothing else can! I look forward to sharing this joy with you in my homeland this June.
