Birth Doula & Postpartum Care
Amsterdam area
You don't have to do this alone.
English and Italian Speaking Doula in Amsterdam since 2019
"There is a secret in our culture, and it is not that birth is painful, but that women are strong." Laura Stavoe Harm
About Me & Ayu Doula Amsterdam
Hi, I’m Ombretta, founder of Ayu Doula Amsterdam. I have been walking alongside women through birth, postpartum and the deeper transitions of womanhood since 2019, weaving together evidence-based doula support with the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda. I moved to Amsterdam in 2013, while I was taking a sabbatic from my corporate life, I discovered a new way of living and connecting with myself and others and I started studying, practicing and teaching Yoga and Ayurveda. Since then many things have changed, I learned to navigate and embrace this country and it's culture, I changed my career path, opening my Ayurvedic Practice in 2017 and bringing all my focus on Women's Health and then expanded my care to childbirth support and postpartum care.
I wanted to bring my holistic and psychological background together with my deep trust in the resilience and ability that women have to give birth from an empowered space, reclaiming the transformative process of birth and postpartum.
When I stepped into this line of work I quickly realised the existing gap between what women need before, during and after childbirth and what is available in the current medical system. Despite being focused on encouraging midwifery-led care, it is not set to offer real continuity of care and to create the conditions for birth to unfold undisturbed in all the settings.
As a Doula I nurture you during your pregnancy, labor, birth and postpartum period. I offer a non-medical approach the focuses on emotional and physical support, sharing information, and helping you and your support system. I am present, offering uninterrupted labor support in ways that medical professionals have no time for or at times, prepared for.
Many families are surprised to find that medical providers do not stay with you for very long during labor—instead, they do brief check-ins, with a focus on carrying out medical tasks and that the Kraamzorg medical support is not always accompanied by specialized treatment to support full recovery.
Some women find me because they are expecting their first baby and already sense that the standard maternity system won't be quite enough for the birth they are imagining. Others find me after a difficult first birth and want this time to feel different. Some are aware of traditional ways of nurturing the woman postpartum and want to reclaim their right to a gentle and supported transition. And some find me simply because they are navigating this in a foreign country, without their village, and they need someone who will truly know them before the birth begins.
Whoever you are — you are welcome here.
As your birth doula, I stay.
While midwives rotate through shifts and partners do their best, I remain your constant — from the first contraction to the first moments after your baby is born. I know your fears, your wishes, your history. I translate the medical language when you need clarity and hold space for your emotions when you need to feel.
I prepare your partner so they feel capable and present rather than helpless. And I advocate for you, always.
My postpartum care brings Ayurvedic wisdom to your home — to your own bed, in your own space. Because your recovery matters as much as your birth. Because you just did something extraordinary, and someone should take care of you. While deep physical healing is key during the first few weeks, an whole different set of challenges starts when people stop bringing food, asking how you feel, or make themselves available to run errands — here is where my support as Postpartum Doula often starts and I come to your home to give you time to rest, offering that extra layer of practical and emotional support that every new-mom needs.
I take on a limited number of families each month so that I can be fully present for each one.If you feel that you would like to explore more, reach out..all starts with a call in which you discover if you feel at home with me.
I work in English and Italian, and I have a particular tenderness for expats finding their way through the Dutch maternity system and are in need to build their village.
RECENT BLOG POSTS
Education
CHILDBIRTH EDUCATION
Childbirth Education Training - BeBo MIA (Canada)
Evidence Based Birth Training (USA)
BIRTH AND POSTPARTUM
Birth Doula Training, Basic and Advanced Training - BIA (NL)
Advanced VBAC Doula Certification - The VBACK Link (USA)
Spinning Babies Foundational Course - Spinning Babies (NL)
Birth Loss Advanced Training - BIA (NL)
Rebozo Training for Childbirth - Rebozo.nl/BIA (NL)
Aromatherapy for Pregnancy, Childbirth and Postpartum - BIA (NL)
Professional Postpartum Care Provider Training - Midwife Cafe (South Africa)
Conscious Postpartum Care Certification - The Center of Sacred Windows Studies (USA)
WOMB HEALING
Inner Womb Method - Sacred Woman Awakening (Spain)
AYURVEDA AND WOMEN'S HEALTH
Ayurvedic Nutrition and Lifestyle Training - EIVS European Institute of Vedic Studies
Ayurvedic Practitioner Training HBO - Academy of Ayurveda The Netherlands (NL+India)
Advanced Certification in Ayurvedic Obstetric and Gyneacology - Arya Ayurveda Academy (India)
YOGA
Ashtanga Yoga TT (200 hrs) - 8 Limbs (Bali)
Yoga Therapy Training (800hrs) - The Yoga Therapy Institute (NL)
Yoga Therapy Training - Svasta Yoga & Ayurveda (India)
Yogic Mindfulness - Svasta Yoga & Ayurveda (India)
Yin Yoga Teacher Training - Delight Yoga (NL)
PSYCHOLOGY
Master Degree in Psychology - Cagliari University (IT)
School of Comparative Psychotherapy, Post Master Degree Program - Cagliari (IT)
Perinatal Psychology Training - Mattew Appleton (UK)
Master in Human Resources Management and Organisation, Post Master Degree Program - L.Bocconi University (IT)
WESTERN MEDICINE FOR HOLISTIC PRACTITIONERS
Medische Besiskennis - Shenzhou Open University
