Maternity care

Immediately Post-Birth

The first period of 6 weeks after your birth is called the postpartum period. It is an intense time and known as a “transition period”. It is a period of physical changes, altering from being pregnant to your regular pre-birth self as well as the transition of your child from being a fetus into a baby. These changes will influence your emotional wellbeing (due to the changing hormone levels). These changes, along with lack of sleep, contribute to make this period so intense.
However, it is also a magical time of new beginnings and getting to learn to know each other. Feelings of happiness and being uncertain will alternate and can give new mothers an emotional rollercoaster ride. It is hugely advantageous to have a doula/maternity nurse who can guide you, pamper you and teach you throughout this unsettled period.

Wat is Matenity Care?

Here in the Netherlands, we have maternity care for the first 8 days after the birth. Maternity care provides care and support along with offering sound instructions and information. The maternity nurse is there to create the optimal environment for the recovery of the new mum and to promote the integration of the baby into the family. I also assist the midwife during the birth.

How to Arrange Maternity Care?

Please contact me as soon as possible when you know you are pregnant. We can arrange an appointment to get acquainted. Once you have signed the application form you have made a reservation for maternity care. Please check your insurance company maternity policy prior to our meeting.

I will contact you for an intake around the 30th week of your pregnancy. This meeting will last around an hour. In this meeting, we will create your care file in which we describe the care you need and wishes. We will also conduct a work conditions check and discuss procedures.

Holistic and Natural Maternity Care

When you are with your midwife, I will assist her during your birth. When you are under the care of the hospital you can contact me when you go home (24/7 availability).

My experience of being a doula has encouraged me to take natural and holistic approache and I prefer to work with natural products. I adjust my methods to your family, because it’s important for me that you experience a good maternity period.
During the 8 days of maternity care, I will provide:
1) medical checkups of mother and baby,
2) assistance with (breast) feeding,
3) education, instructions of (mother and) baby care and assist the integration of your baby into your family,
4) The passing on of information and wishes to the midwife,
5) Hygiene advice & care.

Costs

The maternity care hours are reimbursed by your insurance company, with a personal contribution of € 5.10 euros an hour (2024). The basic package offers 49 hours. However, more of less hours can be bought depending on the (home) situation. The minimal requirement is 24 hours. I work with a fixed backup team to provide continuity and a constant quality.

Post Partum Doula Services, Ceremonies and Rituals

 Sitting Moon – Zuo Yue Zi

Giving birth means also a new beginning as a mom. The first 40 days is called the golden period (Zuo Yue Zi or Sitting a Moon cycle). It’s a golden period to get to know your baby, to feed and to love your baby. And also a golden period for you to rest, reset and heal. Through giving this unique start you also give time to yourself, your baby and family. This gives golden opportunities to reset and to take care of yourself.
Doula Joyce offers services to support this reset and selfcare. These services are for instance: feet massage, breastfeeding stimulation massages, relaxing massages, moxa reset treatment, belly bindings, belly wrappers, yoni pads&steam baths, warming and healing meals&tea, cupping massages, baby massages and beautiful ceremonies like the welcome baby ceremony, the rebozo closing ceremony or reset ceremony after a miscarriage. These services are available next to the maternity care and will be calculated separatly from the “kraamzorg” (the maternity care).

Welcome Baby Ceremony

When your due date is past, it can be welcome to invite your baby with a natural approach to start the birth. A relaxing massage is combined with acupressure, a relaxing cupping massage and a feet massage. Next to the fact that you probably sleep very well, it helps release the right hormones and it invites the baby to be born in a friendly way. The ceremony takes approx. 1 hour and you also learn technics to do a daily ritual to welcome your baby.

Rebozo Closing Ceremony (40 days after birth):

A rebozo closing Ceremony is usually given 40 days after you have given birth. The rebozo is the large piece of cloth a doula uses before and during labour for different massage-techniques. With this Ceremony you close your body and your mind and free yourself of any possible negative thoughts or feelings surrounding your birth. It will help you open up to the future and embrace your new life with more energy. The Ceremony takes approx. 2,5 hours.

Reset Ceremony after a Miscarriage:

After a miscarriage it can be helpful to give your body a reset boost. By giving you a moxa treatment I help you to give your recovering a kickstart. This in combination with a cleansing yoni steam bath is very beneficial. The Ceremony takes approx. 1,5 hours.

Costs

The post partum doula services, ceremonies and rituals are € 80.- an hour. Please contact me for a tailor-made package.
VAT is included in all costs.

Contact

E-mail: doulajoycekraamzorg@outlook.com

When should you call me?

If you are interested in me to be your doula or maternity nurse then the best time to contract me is as soon as possible you have a confirmation of your pregnancy. I am limited to take care of 2 clients per month. This planning is essential make sure that you will have a wonderful time.

Where do you live and can I reach you in time?

My working area is throughout Haarlem and surrounding areas. I reside in Haarlem (North-side) and like be able to reach you within 30 minutes by bike.