A Birth Story About Courage, Community & Connection with Ellen
Dam Parenting24 Syys 2025

A Birth Story About Courage, Community & Connection with Ellen

A deeply human birth story centred on courage, connection, and the power of community. This episode reminds us how support shapes birth — and how we carry those experiences forward.

In this episode of Dam Parenting, host Eva sits down with Ellen and her doula, Ilena Standring, to share a powerful and personal birth story about giving birth in the Netherlands.

From pregnancy preparations to the first signs of labour, through to the moment of birth and postpartum reflections, Ellen’s journey highlights both the challenges and the joys of welcoming a baby in a new country.

For many international parents, the Dutch approach to birth—whether in a hospital, a birthing centre, or even a home birth—can feel unfamiliar. Ellen’s story offers a real, honest look at navigating the Dutch maternity system, supported by her doula, Ilena. Together, they reflect on the courage it takes to share a birth story and the healing power of storytelling in building community.

In this episode:

  • Ellen’s experience preparing for birth in the Netherlands as an international parent

  • What labour and delivery looked like with doula support

  • Insights into the Dutch maternity care system and expectations around home birth

  • How sharing birth stories can reduce isolation, build confidence, and create connection

Dam Parenting is the English-speaking parenting podcast in the Netherlands, exploring real parenting stories and experiences that bring our community closer together. Whether you’re pregnant, planning your birth, or curious about what giving birth in the Netherlands is really like, this episode will leave you feeling informed, connected, and supported.


Thank you to Ellen for reaching out and sharing your story with our community.


Jaksot(186)

DAMChats 4) Book Report

DAMChats 4) Book Report

On today's episode of DAMChats Eva's voice is back and together with Maren, they discuss the latest episode with Elizabeth Goode from Goode Writes and Reads, and the insights they garnished from the e...

5 Helmi 202413min

22) Baby Bibliophiles: The ABC's of baby books with Elizabeth Goode

22) Baby Bibliophiles: The ABC's of baby books with Elizabeth Goode

We wanted to celebrate De Nationale Voorleesdagen which is celebrated across the Netherlands yearly, to stimulate reading to children aged 0 to 6 years of age. And what better than to speak to a qua...

31 Tammi 202438min

21) Allergy Allies: navigating babies first allergens with ViniMini

21) Allergy Allies: navigating babies first allergens with ViniMini

Join us in this vital episode as we dive into a crucial aspect of parenting – introducing allergenic foods to our babies. This episode we speak with Jozien from Vini Mini. With more than 20 million ...

24 Tammi 202445min

DAMChats 3) Mom Guilt

DAMChats 3) Mom Guilt

Eva and Maren are back with another heart-to-heart session on DAMChats, and this time, they're delving into a topic that resonates with every mom out there: Mom Guilt, and sharing their personal exper...

22 Tammi 202417min

20) Growing together - cultivating strong foundations with Dr. Naomi

20) Growing together - cultivating strong foundations with Dr. Naomi

Parent Mental Health day approaches (January 27th) - which is to raise awareness of the importance of supporting the mental health of parents and carers. Dam Parenting wanted to sit down with Naomi to...

17 Tammi 202443min

DAM Chats 2) Spoiling vs. Nurturing

DAM Chats 2) Spoiling vs. Nurturing

On this second episode of the DAM Chat series, we chat about the age-old parenting dilemma of spoiling versus nurturing. Here we look at definitions of spoiling, explore the delicate balance with nu...

15 Tammi 202415min

19) The Dutch Birthscape with Ilena: Gaining insight into Amsterdam's birthing options.

19) The Dutch Birthscape with Ilena: Gaining insight into Amsterdam's birthing options.

Ilena Standring returns and shares her decade long experience of birthing options in Amsterdam, navigating us through the unique aspects and considerations of giving birth here. Ilena takes us throug...

10 Tammi 202455min

DAM Chats 1) Toddler Tantrum's

DAM Chats 1) Toddler Tantrum's

Dive into the chaos and charm of toddlerhood with hosts Maren and Eva on this episode of DAM Chats! In this candid conversation, they share the nitty-gritty of their experiences dealing with Toddler ...

8 Tammi 202419min

Suosittua kategoriassa Nuorille kuuntelijoille

lasten-sadut
rss-hei-baby
rss-kuumilla-aalloilla
iltasatu-lapselle
rss-satupalvelu-satuja-lapsille
saran-kaverikirja
rss-naapurissa
rss-lastenohjelma-taikalipas
perusasento
satuillaan-yhteisia-satuhetkia-koko-perheelle
docemilia
onnen-kuplia
riivattu-rakki
rss-stylecast
rss-vastaanotolla
rss-palaudu-synnytyksesta-podcast
mammanutturat
puhutaan-koiraa
odotushuone
rss-mamcast