Giving birth in the Netherlands: 5 women on balancing traditions and new habits
What is it like to give birth in the Netherlands, far away from the customs you grew up with? Hanan, Leticia, Koyonga and Ashura share their experiences with journalist Esther Muwombi. Esther herself also experienced a search: "I wanted an intimate birth like in Uganda and at the same time use the good care in the Netherlands."
Maternity care in the Netherlands reassures expectant mother Hanan a little
Hanan is soon expecting her 1st child in the Netherlands and tells me she is worried because her family is not there. "In Syria, older women in the family provide herbal baths after the birth. They say prayers and soup, vegetables and lamb is eaten," she says. "Sometimes there is even singing and dancing".
Although Hanan is worried, she draws hope from maternity care. Maternity care is a home-based service that provides assistance to parents of a newborn child. For Hanan, this is new, but the idea reassures her. She hopes it will make up for the loss of her family a little.
Leticia, a Ugandan mother of 2, tried to bring her culture to the Netherlands, she tells me. She brought kyogero herbs from Uganda to the Netherlands. These herbs have been used in baby baths for generations. "It felt like I was bringing a piece of Uganda here," she says. The ritual helped her feel connected to her roots, despite the distance.
Kayongo Ashurah, a single mother from Uganda, tells me about her experience, "At home in Uganda, the birth of a baby means that everyone comes to help: family, neighbours, friends. You are never alone. But here in the Netherlands, everyone is busy. That sometimes feels lonely."
Yet Ashurah also sees benefits of motherhood in the Netherlands. She tells me she is happy with childcare, which allows parents to continue working or studying. But some things continue to take getting used to: "After giving birth, I was given bread, whereas at home I would eat hearty meals. I was so hungry," she says, laughing.
Motherhood is the same everywhere
When my own child was born in the Netherlands, I had the same mixed feelings as these women. It was also a search for me between traditions and new customs. I chose a home birth because I was hoping for a warm, intimate experience like my mother used to have in Uganda. At the same time, I knew that in the Netherlands I could also use the good and safe Dutch care when giving birth at home.
Due to last minute problems, I still had to go to the hospital and could not give birth at home. Still, I look back on childbirth positively. As I held my baby in my arms, I realised that motherhood is the same everywhere: a journey of strength, love and change.
This story was written by Esther Muwombi of RFG Media in collaboration with RefugeeHelp.