Een Goed Begin – Bevallen In Nederland (+ Lecture & Discussion)
Documentary in which six passionate healthcare professionals share their knowledge about and experiences with the unique birth care of the Netherlands.
Only in the Netherlands is a pregnant woman asked whether she wants to give birth at home or in the hospital. In 2021, Dutch homebirth culture was officially recognized as intangible heritage.
The stories of the midwives, maternity nurses and gynaecologists in this documentary highlight how
valuable and exceptional the Dutch birth care system is. They talk about the overwhelming and special nature of each birth, about the importance of a familiar face when giving birth – at home and in the hospital – about the function of pain and the effects of trauma, poverty and racism. Together, they paint a powerful picture of a birthing culture under great pressure in an era of medicalization, market forces and our contemporary drive for control. As a result, the freedom of choice of pregnant women to give birth safely at home is in danger.
EEN GOED BEGIN is therefore also a reflection on our society and core values such as trust in ourselves and our fellow man, autonomy and freedom of choice. This is deeply woven into Dutch history and rooted in a culture of sobriety and the premise that women are in charge of where and how they want to give birth.
Note: The screening will be preceded by a lecture (language: Dutch) by Prof. dr. Marianne Nieuwenhuijze, lecturer in Midwifery/Physiological Obstetrics at Zuyd.