We are Bolwerk

1. Which place is on your birth card?
Haarlem of course! I was born at this practice in 1983, so I am a Bolwerkbaby myself.

2. What do you love about Haarlem and its surroundings?
Haarlem has everything! I like to be in the dunes or in the city. Haarlem has beautiful parks and nice places to sit and to watch people. Haarlem is friendly and “village-like” compared to big Amsterdam. I also just really like “Haarlemmers”. Although I no longer live there, I can still be found there every day. I still feel like a “mosqito” (true Haarlem resident ;).

3. What did you want to be when you were little?
A knight and dog groomer, but because I kept getting eliminated for the knight academy …. , I started training as a dental hygienist at the ACTA in Amsterdam. This proved unsuccessful, because when you treat someone in the mouth, you can’t talk to them. And that was precisely what I enjoyed most about the job: getting to know people.

I transitioned from being a dental hygienist at an orthodontist to midwifery and was immediately accepted into the academy. Best of all, I can now really talk to our lovely, pregnant ladies.

4. Why did you want to become a midwife?
I have always worked in healthcare or hospitality. That dynamic, irregularity with people that just draws me. I think obstetrics is the best branch of health care because you work with healthy people and sometimes really get to go in depth. You literally step into someone’s life and get to do something in the process. I am a bouncer, a doer and I love helping and caring. Eating a rusk on the edge of the bed of a newborn mother and her baby, wilst consulting with maternity care.. how can you call that working?

5. What is the biggest challenge in your profession?
Combining the profession of a midwife with a family. Two sons who can find it hard if I can’t be at the swim-off or at a soccer game. That I always have to answer the phone, or drop everything when I need to …. also during dinner.

But also putting on two of the same shoes in the middle of the night can sometimes be a challenge. There have been more than one occasion when this did not work out and an alert nurse or father pointed this out to me. Also don’t forget the sweaters or t-shirts that may be inside out because of the rush.

6. What do you prefer to drink between appointments?
The cappuccino of our assistants who sometimes see us returning to the practice with bags under our eyes. These are extra tasty and sweet of course.

7. What treat(s) can you never resist?
Whipped cream truffles, anything made of marzipan and I’m addicted to Smints, the blue ones.

8. What have you learned from your partners in Bolwerk?
I was born with Marja Brakman, I was allowed to do my final internship in obstetrics at Bolwerk and I have been working permanently in the practice since 2009. It felt like an honor to learn obstetrics from the experienced “old hands” in midwifery, Marja Brakman, Josseline Dahler and Nienke Anker. You only get the hang of this profession by doing it. You cannot become a midwife just by studying books. These midwives had/have so much experience that I sometimes really felt like a chick at that time.

The always open atmosphere and the fact that we as buddies take very good care of each other and take over when we need each other is what I like best about this unique team. I have learned so much from my colleagues and am still learning every day. I am happy and proud to have been raised at the Bolwerk by my colleagues. Pretty quirky, then, just like our dear Bolwerk pregnancies.

9. How do we recognize you among all the midwives?
Hahahahaha, the assistant sometimes hears it on the phone…. “The one with the shoes!” I love sneakers, too crazy of sneakers do not exist, preferably Nikes and as colorful as possible. I once had a rule that I was allowed to pick out new sneakers after two nights of working through, but that went really fast. I cannot deny that I have quite a collection of sneakers and am very happy with these. There is a difference between consultation sneakers – fabric and light colors – and on duty sneakers – dark and washable ;).

10. Which childbirth will you never forget?
My very first delivery when I had just graduated from college. A very fast delivery on a brand new couch on the Boterstraat. Without gloves and with the car parked in the middle of the road I will never forget. But also the deliveries of acquaintances and colleagues in the industry who ask you to be their midwife during the delivery are unforgettable. These are extra exciting and that release when the baby is in mama’s arms … I can’t keep my eyes dry then either.

11. What are you most proud of?
Of our team and practice that has stood like a house since 1946. With a close team that also takes care of each other. But also of all those sweet families who always know how to find us and really seem to fit in with us.

12. How do you rest on your days off?
Rest? I have children! Okay, I am doing swimming lessons to learn the breast crawl, love plants and garden centers. I am also learning Portuguese and like to get lost in the Kennemer dunes. I hope to take in another Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy in the near future, these dogs have stolen my heart.

13. What is the ultimate tip during pregnancy?
Go on pregnancy leave on time and turn off your work email. Make sure everything is in place and enjoy your empty schedule when your leave begins. So I regularly prescribe our heavily pregnant ladies Netflix, a massage or a good book. Make sure you prepare for childbirth and recharge your battery properly. Oh, and a good mattress pad for when you give birth, the Grusnarv from Ikea for example.

1. Which place is on your birth card?
Amsterdam. I was born in the Burgerziekenhuis in Amsterdam-East; this hospital no longer exists. My grandfather worked here as an internist (specialist for internal diseases) and was the first to come and visit me when I was born.

2. What do you love about Haarlem and its surroundings?
I have lived in many places in North Holland, but have never felt anywhere as much at home as in Haarlem. Apart from really being a city, it can also have something village-like and small-scale. Besides, it is also a very beautiful city, both in terms of architecture and people 🙂

3. What did you want to be when you were little?
A mermaid.

4. Why did you want to become a midwife?
When I was 13, my youngest brother, Moos, was born and I got to be there. This wonderful event made me realize; ‘Wow! You can just do this as a job!’ Because my other dream job, singer – and of course becoming very famous – was still a priority at that time, it took several more years before I made the switch to obstetrics.

5. What is the biggest challenge in your profession?
Women today are much more aware of all the options surrounding childbirth and know much better what they want and don’t want. I find this autonomy super wonderful to experience and can only encourage it! Still, the course of childbirth cannot be predicted. Rarely do things go as conceived or “planned” in advance. It is such a shame when someone feels like they have failed because the delivery did not go “according to plan”. While on paper it may have been a good delivery.

For me, the challenge lies in the expectation management part. To help women during childbirth get out of their heads and into their bodies. You keep the direction, but you have to let go of the control.

Oh yeah, and making sure that I don’t have my clothes inside out/ backwards when I fly out of bed and rush to a delivery at night.

6. What do you prefer to drink between appointments?
Cappuccino, lots and lots of cappuccino.

7. What treat(s) can you never resist?
Deep-fried cheese sticks – not to be confused with those cheese sticks at the bakery – but really just anything with cheese.

8. What have you learned from your partners in Bolwerk?
Really being a very close team. Being able to say everything to each other, thinking with each other and always being there for each other. It is realy a kind of marriage. A while ago, during my shift, I got an text from Nienke saying, “Will you be home around 3 p.m.?” When I texted back that I would be home “…. but why?”, she responded with; “Sorry! Wrong husband!”

9. How do we recognize you among all the midwives?
In our practice I am always called “the one with the curls and the tattoo. Furthermore, I race around Haarlem during my shifts in my pink Fiat 500.

10. Which childbirth will you never forget?
There are several, but two of them are the birth of my little brother and my very first delivery during my midwifery study. This one was during my internship at Bolwerk together with Joyce. Joyce herself was very pregnant at that time. I was only watching from the sidelines at the time, but was allowed to take the pictures. Quite a challenge when you are attending labor for the first time! It was a super fast, beautiful home birth. I later ran into the parents on King’s Day and they laughingly told me that all the photos were blurry and moved!

11. What are you most proud of?
I moved to Haarlem in 2012, I didn’t know anyone here and I only knew the city a little. I am very proud of everything I have built since then in terms of work, living, music, friends …. and love! Quite a lot to be proud of. And my Little Mermaid outfit for Carnival

12. How do you rest on your days off?
I’d like to say “by getting up early, exercising and doing all the healthy things,” but alas. For me, a day off is sleeping in, Netflixing, having lunch, drinks and/or eating out in town. In the summer, I can be found a lot in the park or on the water.

13. What is the ultimate tip during pregnancy?
Keep breathing and let it happen. Good preparation is definitely very important! But trusting your body, the process, yourself, your (birth) partner and your birth team is just as important. And also consider …. many have gone before you!

1. Which place is on your birth card?
Leiderdorp, no further comment. Still a nice little hospital with a fine obstetrics department though 😉 where we very occasionally come when it is full here.

2. What do you love about Haarlem and its surroundings?
The Bakenesserkerk, mill de Adriaan, the Koepel, the Saturday market, the sound of the Damiaantjes, Haarlem Central Station, crocuses in the Bolwerkpark, soccer club Geel-Wit, basketball club Onze Gazelle and Krassport. And from the city into the dunes in no time, with a dip in the Wed or in the waves of the sea!

3. What did you want to be when you were little?
It started with waitress and pastry chef. It became maternity nurse when I had 3 little neighbor boys and midwife when the other neighbor was pregnant and took me with her to check-ups at the midwife. I then wanted to become a pediatrician – after all, after VWO you go to college – so a real study of medicine. “Unfortunately” I didn’t get in twice. My family doctor, the obstetrician with my mother, said that childbirth was the best part of his profession, so after that back to…. midwife.

4. Why did you want to become a midwife in the first place?
The fascination with the (almost) surreal art of biology. What happens there from two gametes; a whole pregnancy, a child or several, placenta, amniotic fluid, breastfeeding, a body that may carry, will give birth and can feed …. . There is really no way to describe the transition a woman’s body undergoes to bring forth new life. And love makes it all bearable.

5. What is the biggest challenge in your profession?
The combination with my own family due to the irregularity and many hours of rotation. And having to get out the door at a moment’s notice is not always a good fit either.

6. What do you prefer to drink between appointments?
Water – very sensible -, black coffee to get in a little caffeine and a nice bubble to celebrate strength and life.

7. What treat(s) can you never resist?
Paprika chips (gluten-free) and chocolates or fudge with coffee.

8. What have you learned from your partners in Bolwerk?
The smile and the tear. Midwifery is a deadly serious profession but how nice it is to keep the confidence, peace and relaxation in it. We are often out on our own, day and night. So share your stories, emotions and enjoy that which you get to experience.

9. How do we recognize you among all the midwives?
I am that calm, sweet and committed craftswoman.

10. Which childbirth will you never forget?
My own deliveries! Difficult question, because with every birth there is something that touches you: the front door, the bedroom, the child’s name, the pets, the course, the resilience. All those experiences can be recalled again and again to bring back fond memories.

11. What are you most proud of?
Maybe on my anniversary: 25 years in the business. My own experiences during pregnancy, childbirth and parenthood. Okay and that lap 38.8 at the ice rink!

12. How do you rest on your days off?
In nice weather, you’ll find me outside. Either on a bike, or on skates or on my favorite round of Koningshof, running before 10:00 a.m. or walking after ten. And in bad weather, I am at home, like to play board games, read a book or the newspaper and take an afternoon nap.

13. What is the ultimate tip during pregnancy?
Be kind to yourself. I’m sure everyone really tries their best and you actually never do it wrong then. With love and security, you will be fine. Even if you eat just a little too much chocolate, sniff on a glass of wine or lick at a piece of soap.