About Irma

After being a hospital based nurse for 12 years I became a mother. Because of these new family commitments, I started the childbirth education of Samen Bevallen. Since 1997 I have worked as a childbirth class teacher and give classes in Dutch two evenings a week. As an former expat myself, having lived in The United States and also Japan, I have personal experience of what it is like to move countries and find your way in a new totally different system.

This was the inspiration for starting my English spoken classes in 2000. I know what it is like to be expecting a baby in a culture other than your own and all the uncertainty and emotions that this can bring. I specialise in prenatal individual or group childbirth classes- information sessions and coaching for international couples expecting a baby in the Netherlands. Besides childbirth classes, I give training in Shantala baby massage courses for new parents with baby.

I'm a mother of 4 children, 3 sons and one daughter. I love biking, like reading books and shop in town and feel relaxed on our boat and enjoy the Netherlands from the water. Besides that there is always something going on in my lovely family.

I really enjoy working with pregnant women during pregnancy and birth. My aim is to help couples have a memorable and empowering birthing experience in the Netherlands. I hope that every international parent-to-be which I support will anticipate their birth with confidence, look back at their birthing experience with contentment and feel prepared and excited about becoming new parents in Holland. My classes are a wonderful mix of couples from all over the world and will give you a really good opportunity to get to know other parents-to-be in the area. Together, you will be able to discuss and learn from each other.

I look forward to meeting you!