Doula Amsterdam: support during your pregnancy and birth
Hello, I’m Iris. A down-to-earth and engaged doula, with a soft and sensitive side. I believe it’s important that you feel seen, heard and supported during your pregnancy, birth and postpartum period.
My role is to stand beside you, with attention to what you need, practical where that helps, and with room for your feelings, questions and intuition. Together with your partner, we create an environment in which you can feel safe and at ease, giving you the space to give birth in the way that suits you.
Prefer Dutch? Read this page in Dutch.
Liever Nederlands? Lees deze pagina in het Nederlands, of bekijk mijn ondersteuning voor expatouders.
What is a doula?
A doula is someone who offers emotional, physical and informative support during one of the most special and intense periods of your life. As a doula, I help you stay in control and feel safe, whatever the circumstances. My support is fully tailored to your unique wishes and needs. Curious exactly what a doula does and doesn’t do? Read here what a doula is.
Why choose Doula Iris in Amsterdam?
I lived in Amsterdam myself for many years and loved it, so I know the city well, along with the routes to and within its various hospitals. Amsterdam offers plenty of maternity care options, but as a doula I offer something unique: a trusted, continuous presence that radiates calm and confidence. My approach combines a down-to-earth attitude with a sensitive, gentle side, so you can focus fully on your birth.
I offer tailor-made support and fully adapt my guidance to your personal needs and expectations. My goal is to help you relax, ease your worries, and support you in making the choices that are right for you. Whether you give birth at home or in the hospital, I’m by your side.
With my experience and expertise, I help ensure that you and your partner have a positive birth experience together. Together we create a loving bubble in which you feel safe and heard.
I prefer to do the no-obligation introduction meeting in person; I’m happy to travel for it, wherever you live.
I also work closely together with midwives. In my experience, they’re glad to have a doula present at the birth. That makes it a genuine win-win for you, your partner, the midwife and me.
Healthcare in and around Amsterdam
If you’d like to give birth in hospital, it’s worth knowing that in recent years Amsterdam has concentrated its maternity care in a few major locations. Since the end of March 2024, all clinical births at OLVG take place at the Oost location (Oosterpark 9). The West location no longer handles births. Amsterdam UMC, location AMC, has been the site for all emergency births and the NICU since December 2021. BovenIJ Hospital in Amsterdam-Noord also has a Mother and Child Centre for both outpatient and clinical births. For those who’d rather not give birth in a hospital, there are two birth centres run by the EVAA midwives’ collective: Bevalcentrum Oost (housed within OLVG Oost since 2024) and Bevalcentrum Zuid (Kastelenstraat 107), which is a genuinely freestanding centre. Amsterdam also has dozens of midwifery practices. Zorgkaartnederland has a list of all the midwifery practices in Amsterdam.
Both OLVG and the UMC offer birthing pools. For the most up-to-date information on the delivery rooms at OLVG and Amsterdam UMC (location AMC), I recommend checking the hospital’s own website.
My tip: join the information evening on giving birth at the hospital near you. These are usually held monthly. They give you the chance to take a look at the delivery rooms, hear more about the different forms of medical pain relief the hospital offers, and get a sense of what to expect when you give birth there. That can help you walk into the hospital with a bit more confidence and a familiar feeling.
In Amsterdam for (expecting) parents
Amsterdam Mamas is an active (international) mothers’ community with weekly playgroups, and there’s a fortnightly mothers’ group at Huis van de Buurt De Boomsspijker. For those who want to stay active, there are several pregnancy yoga studios, including Tula Yoga Studios and The House of Balance. Want to prepare well in advance? My pregnancy course runs at my practice in Haarlem, though I’ll happily come to you for a private course. And with the free e-book, you can already take the first steps. I’m also active as a doula in Amsterdam. Curious what a doula costs or how to choose the right one for you? Also read what a doula costs in the Netherlands and how to choose the right doula.
How I work
Pregnancy
During your pregnancy, we meet several times to get to know each other well, so you both become fully comfortable with my presence. In 2 to 4 extensive, personal preparatory conversations of about 2 hours each (depending on the package you choose), I make sure you’re well informed and prepared for the birth. You’ll know what options are available in different situations, so you can make your own choices. Together we also draw up your birth plan, and I guide you in expanding your body awareness through massage, various relaxation exercises and practising different birthing positions. You’ll experience how you relax best and ‘settle into’ your body, which builds trust in your own body and strengthens the bond with your baby.
Birth
From 38 weeks until you give birth, I’m available by phone 24/7. I come as soon as labour begins and you feel ready to have me there. During your birth, I offer loving, gentle support, helping you through contractions, listening, giving massage and reassurance. I support your partner too, so you can experience the birth together. You’re welcome to use my birthing ball and Elle TENS device free of charge. I stay for around 2 hours after the birth, usually until you’ve showered and are settled in a clean bed with your baby in your arms.
Postpartum period
After the birth we stay in touch, and I’m available for questions and advice for around 6 weeks. I’d love to receive the occasional photo and update on how you’re all doing, but there’s no obligation at all. Once you’re ready, we round things off with a postpartum visit to look back on the birth together.
Extra options
This package can be extended with additional support, such as more preparatory conversations or exercises, massages, or joining you for a visit to your midwife or obstetrician.
Together as a team
Your partner plays an important role, and I help them fulfil that role with confidence. Birth is a shared experience, and it’s essential that you both feel supported and involved. Your partner’s role can range from emotional support to practical help during contractions. Together we create an environment where you both feel safe and heard, so you can experience this special event together in a way that suits you. Together we discuss:
- Your fears, expectations and wishes, to create clarity and confidence.
- How your partner can best support you during the birth, so they know what to do and when.
- Practical techniques such as breathing exercises and massage, so your partner can actively contribute.
- Handling unexpected situations, and how to stay flexible and calm together as a team.
By being well prepared together, you form a strong team that faces the birth with confidence.
