EBB 351 -"Home Birth is a National Heritage!" and other Surprising Features of the Dutch Healthcare System with Doula Madi van Tonder

Madi van Tonder is a birth photographer, doula, and educator based in the Netherlands. Originally from South Africa, Madi has lived in multiple countries and brings a unique perspective to birth work, particularly for families navigating new healthcare systems.

 

Join Dr. Dekker and Madi as she shares insights into the Dutch maternity care system, where midwives play a central role, home birth is considered a national heritage, and postpartum families receive in-home support through the Kraamzorg system. We explore how Dutch birth culture prioritizes physiological birth, minimizes unnecessary interventions, and encourages parents to trust in their bodies. Madi also highlights the challenges faced by immigrant families and the importance of informed decision-making, regardless of where you give birth.

 

(00:03:16) Overview of the Dutch Maternity Care System: Midwife-Led Model

(00:05:52) Home Birth as National Heritage: Dutch Birth Culture & Trends

(00:06:54) Role of Doulas in the Netherlands & Their Place in the System

(00:10:33) Dutch Approach to Birth Interventions & Cesarean Rates

(00:12:46) Pain Management Options: Non-Medicated Comfort Measures First

(00:16:18) Early Hospital Discharge & the Kraamzorg Postpartum Care System

(00:20:01) Dutch Parental Leave Policies & Family-Friendly Work Culture

(00:22:54) Challenges in the System: Protocols, Immigration, & Language Barriers

(00:28:47) Lessons from the Dutch Birth Model: Autonomy, Education & Low-Intervention Birth

(00:31:08) Madi’s Advice for Expecting Parents & Birth Professionals

 

Resources

• Learn more about Madi van Tonder and her work at Meraki Madi.

For more information about Evidence Based Birth® and a crash course on evidence based care, visit