Newsletter September 2026
The theme of this month is 'parenthood'. You will read the latest news from the field and we share various course dates.
Theme of the month:
Having a baby: a new chapter in your life
A pregnancy changes a lot. For the person who is pregnant, of course, but also for the partner standing by her side. Perhaps parenthood already feels very close to you, perhaps it is still a little unreal. And that is all normal.
While pregnancy is physically very visible, it can sometimes be a bit more difficult for an expectant partner to find their place. He or she may be looking forward to the baby immensely, but at the same time feel insecure. What will it be like? Can I handle this? How do I support my partner? And what will my life look like when I become a parent?
A new phase begins after the birth as well. Having a baby is not only a special change, but sometimes also an overwhelming one. Less sleep, new responsibilities, and finding a new balance can be quite tough. It may take a while before you feel completely comfortable in your new role.
Being involved doesn't start only after the birth.
Participate in the discussion during check-ups, ask questions, and let us know what is on your mind. You don't have to be just 'the partner of'. Your questions, expectations, and uncertainties are valid too.
You don't have to know everything or be good at everything right away. Parenthood is something you learn step by step. By being present, connecting with your baby, and being there for your partner, you build your bond from the very beginning.
And perhaps most importantly: fathers/partners are also allowed to speak up when things aren't going well. Fatigue, insecurity, or feelings of sadness can occur in men/partners as well. Talk about it with your partner, your GP, or someone you trust. You don't have to do it alone.
Parenthood means a big change, with room for pride, love, doubt, humor, and everything in between.
An educational course for expectant fathers:
The best preparation for fatherhood - Welcome to mankind
Dennis, the husband of our midwife Sanne, took this course and wrote a nice piece about it;
Fair is fair. Men often know little about babies, and men simply know men best..
Welcome To Mankind combines exactly these two points in a very informative and fun course, where you learn everything about the upcoming baby(s) and your partner during this period, in a relaxed setting.
The course is structured into various modules and chapters, so you can skip parts if you think: "I obviously already know this." Don't assume that, though, because you don't :)
For me, Welcome To Mankind was the most relaxed preparation for our little ones.
Agenda
You can find a comprehensive overview of various courses and more information on our website, on the page with useful links .
You can find new course dates for the upcoming period below:
Course or program | Data | Location |
First Aid for Baby & Child | NL: Nov 2 / Eng: Oct 20 | Avenue of the Healing Masters |
Childbirth course in Dutch by Suzan Doeswijk | 20 Sept / 18 Oct | Avenue of the Healing Masters |
Childbirth course in English by Chitra | 26 Sept / 24 Oct | Avenue of the Healing Masters |
Information evening with lactation consultant Sanne Koeman | NL: Oct 20 Eng: Oct 21 | Online |
Start CP groups | Dutch & English: Sept 8, there are still a few spots available to join. | Avenue of the Healing Masters |
Heartbeat consultation, walk-in without appointment. From 14 weeks of pregnancy. | Every Thursday from 14:30 to 15:00 | Avenue of the Healing Masters |
Did you know?
That a new Centering Pregnancy group starts every 6 weeks? In both Dutch and English.
Fathers/partners are very welcome during the first half hour of each meeting. This allows them to listen to the baby's heartbeat as well. Meetings 5 and 6 are the partner sessions, where all partners are present. These are entirely dedicated to the birth.
To do
A brief reminder of a few important points:
Whooping cough vaccination
You can get a vaccination against whooping cough during pregnancy. You pass the antibodies to your unborn baby via the placenta.
The vaccination is provided by the GGD (child health clinic).
Arranging maternity care
Don't forget to arrange maternity care on time. A maternity nurse provides support and care in the first days after the birth, for both mother and baby.
You can find more information on our page with useful links .
Contraception
Did you know that we also insert IUDs and the Implanon? You can make an appointment with our assistant for this.
You can read more about thecontraception consultation on our website.
The latest news from our practice
Midwife Lisa started her training to become an ultrasound technician in September. You may run into her during the ultrasound consultation hours, together with her colleagues.
