CHILDBIRTH PREPARATION FOR EXPATS IN EINDHOVEN
Empowered Beginnings
You don't need to know everything about birth. You need to understand what's happening, trust your instincts, and have a plan — including when things don't go the way you hoped.
The Course
Empowered Beginning is a private childbirth preparation course covering everything from normal physiological birth to induction, cesarean, pain relief, breastfeeding preparation, postpartum recovery, and newborn care. We work through it together over 4-6 sessions, roughly 12 hours total, organised around your schedule and your questions.
By the end of our time together, you'll have a better understanding of your ideal birth and your plans for when things don't go as hoped. You'll leave with a foundation for breastfeeding, postpartum recovery, and newborn care, and a birth plan that reflects what you want.
✦ 4-6 sessions, approximately 12 hours total
✦ Flexible scheduling around your due date and availability
✦ Covers birth, breastfeeding preparation, postpartum planning, and newborn care
✦ Hands-on partner support techniques
✦ Birth plan development
✦ In your home or another location that suits you
€480 per couple
Planning with friends? If you bring another couple, the rate drops to €325 per couple.
For partners
Partners leave this course with something specific: hands-on techniques they can actually use. Comfort measures, positioning, breathing cues, counterpressure — things to do in the room that make a real difference. Not just watching, but actively supporting.
Childbirth Coaching
A flexible alternative to the full course
Birth coaching is for couples who don't need comprehensive preparation from scratch. Maybe you've done this before and want a refresher. Maybe you want to focus on one specific aspect of birth rather than covering everything.
We decide together what to cover and how to use our time. I follow your lead.
Coaching sessions are typically 4-6 hours total, depending on what you need. We can meet in person in Eindhoven or virtually.
✦ Flexible hours based on your needs
✦ In-person or virtual
✦ Focused on what matters most to you
€65 per hour
Not sure which is right for you?
The full Empowered Beginning course is for couples who want comprehensive preparation covering birth, breastfeeding, and newborn care from the ground up.
Birth coaching is for those who want something more focused and flexible, such as a refresher or preparation around one specific area.
What People Are Saying
“We did the personal course and it was totally worth it. My partner was scared about the pregnancy process and she did answer all of her questions, shared experinces, tips and more. Also shared a lot of facts and focused on the actual events, timelines and what can and does not usually happen.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Roberto Marques
FAQs
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Most couples start between 28 and 32 weeks — early enough to have time for all the sessions, but close enough to birth that everything feels relevant. If you're further along, reach out — private sessions can often be arranged quickly.
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Yes. The curriculum is based on current evidence around birth physiology, pain management, and informed decision-making. The goal isn't to tell you what to choose — it's to make sure you understand your options so you can choose for yourself.
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I'd strongly encourage it. Partners leave with specific, hands-on skills they can use during labor, practical techniques that make a real difference. That said, single parents and those whose partners can't attend are absolutely welcome.
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Childbirth education is not covered by standard Dutch health insurance. Some aanvullende verzekering (supplementary insurance) packages do include a contribution. Check your policy. I can provide an invoice if needed for reimbursement purposes.
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Centering Pregnancy is a group model run by your verloskundige practice covering the basics. Empowered Beginning is private, unhurried, and built entirely around you: your questions, your preferences, your situation. Some couples do both and find they complement each other well.
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Absolutely. The course covers all birth settings: home, birth centre, and hospitall, as well as all birth types including induction and cesarean. Where you plan to give birth doesn't change what's useful to know.
Not sure where to start?
Let’s have a free 20-minute conversation to discuss what would be most helpful for you and your family.
