Becoming a mom in The Netherlands

My pregnancy and birth story

My pregnancy was a truly special time – full of beauty, but also challenges, because I experienced it in a country that is not my homeland. I come from Poland.

My husband and I had been trying for a baby since 2023. In 2024, while still in Poland, I had a miscarriage – an empty gestational sac. Those were very difficult moments, but they allowed me to let go of expectations and the pressure I had been putting on myself. I also worked through the fears connected to the changes that pregnancy brings. Life went on.

Soon after, we moved to the Netherlands, where I began my music studies. It was a stressful time – a new country, new work, finding a place to live. And yet, in the middle of all that uncertainty, new life began to bloom inside me. It showed me that we shouldn't cling too tightly to things – life has its own timing and sometimes gives us what we long for when we least expect it.

For the first three months of my pregnancy, I didn't even know I was pregnant. I was working physically, walking a lot, practicing my instrument, staying active and full of energy. Maybe that time made me stronger – but I think the real credit goes to my tiny baby girl, who endured that busy, active period so bravely.

I found out I was pregnant in January 2025. That moment started a wave of big changes. From the very beginning, I started thinking about what I wanted my birth to look like. In Poland, doulas are still not very common, but I had heard about them before and secretly wished that someone like that could be with me. I knew I needed a strong, kind, and wise woman by my side.

I reached out to Linda during my second trimester – it felt like destiny and intuition guiding me. It turned out to be one of the best decisions I've ever made. From our very first meeting, we connected instantly. My husband and I both loved talking with her – our meetings were full of warmth, care, and humor. Even though we spoke in a language that wasn't ours (English), we understood each other perfectly.

Linda is a true professional. She guided us beautifully through the process of preparing for birth, but also through deeper reflections – what parenthood would mean for us, how we imagined labor, postpartum, and life with our baby. Those conversations, sharing our stories and emotions, helped us prepare for what happened on July 29th – when our beautiful daughter Klara was born.

Linda brought so much calm into my preparations. I felt so grateful – to her, to myself, and to life. Thanks to her, I felt closer to nature and to the natural rhythm of birth. I could describe my birth experience with three words: STRENGTH, TRUST, POWER.

Klara was born in the early morning of July 29th, at home – surrounded by soft lights and a peaceful, magical atmosphere. Those were truly sacred moments. Linda was with me from the very beginning, when contractions became intense – from the evening of July 28th until the very end. It was a long night with a beautiful ending at 6:13 a.m.

Linda guided my husband, showing him how to massage me and support me. We could all feel her presence holding the space for us. She gave me a gentle, relaxing foot massage that, I believe, helped the birth progress faster. Her quiet, calm presence – full of smiles and confidence – was simply incredible. With her by my side, I felt myself blooming as a woman.

I believe that's what a doula truly is – someone who restores the beauty of feminine support, of the women's circle. Linda, together with my midwife and nurse, created a space full of trust where I could fulfill my dream – to give birth at home.

That dream required deep inner work, self-reflection, and asking myself important questions. Linda supported me through all of that, and I will be forever grateful to her.

Thank you, Linda, for your experience, calmness, and warmth.
In your eyes, I never saw fear – I saw love. You enriched me with who you are. 

May you continue to bring that same feeling of "being at home" to many other women during their births.

Curious on how I can support you as a doula? Feel invited to contact me.