‘No, sorry, we don’t like it if you are present at the delivery.’ I can still hear us saying it to Willemieke, the intern. A difficult message, because she had already attended the check-up a few times and we liked her a lot. Besides, I am a teacher, so I know how important it is for a trainee to get the chance to do as much as possible. After all, how else are you supposed to learn the trade? But still… We thought peace and quiet around the birth was very important, and felt that as few people as possible should then be present. Fortunately, the intern took it well.
Then the contractions started. The midwife came by to see how things were going, and the trainee midwife was there too. And that actually felt very familiar, because we already knew her from the check-ups. Lars and I looked at each other and the decision was made without words: we would invite her to be present at the birth after all, should it go ahead. The intern was surprised, and delighted.
It turned out to be a good move. The trainee midwife was very calm; it was almost unnoticeable that she was there. But her presence was valuable to us. She gave Lars some good tips, which allowed him to help me cope with the contractions. And what I personally really liked: she was always there. There was another delivery and the midwife occasionally walked to the other delivery room. Willemieke then stayed with us, and it supported me enormously that an expert was always with us.

We are very happy that we finally decided that Willemieke could be present at the birth. And we hope that she can assist in many more deliveries. Because we also wish other future parents the fine, trusted presence of two midwives!

Lars en Hilde Hulzebos