Hypnobirthing à la Marise
An integrated birth prep path for giving birth in the Netherlands, in English
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Most hypnobirthing courses give you techniques. This one gives you a journey.
A warm welcome, I am so glad you found your way here. While many hypnobirthing courses focus purely on practical techniques, Hypnobirthing à la Marise is designed to be a gentle, integrated journey. It is a deeply personal path over several months, crafted for women and couples who don’t just want to prepare for the birthing process but want to experience this profound transition with true awareness and connection.
What makes this English hypnobirthing course in Utrecht different
Most hypnobirthing courses in the Netherlands focus on labour techniques over a few sessions. Hypnobirthing à la Marise supports more.
While your midwife focuses on medical monitoring, this programme complements that care by preparing your nervous system, body, partnership, and confidence — from early pregnancy through to your first weeks postpartum.
It was designed specifically for the Dutch birth environment. Home birth, midwife-led care, what to expect from the kraamzorg, how to navigate the system when things don’t go to plan, it’s all woven in because knowing your environment is part of feeling ready for birth.
Birth is intense, and preparation goes beyond staying calm. Where most courses teach you to relax, this programme builds something more durable, a nervous system that can move with the birthing process rather than brace against it. That resilience doesn’t come from techniques alone. It comes from time, from practice, and from being genuinely accompanied.
That is what this journey offers.
Prenatal classes for expats and international couples
Navigating pregnancy in a new country comes with its own particular layer.
The Dutch healthcare system is excellent — but its approach is different from what most internationals expect. Midwife-led care as the standard. Home birth as a real option. A system that trusts the body, sometimes more than you’re used to.
Navigating pregnancy far away from your usual support network can sometimes feel a bit overwhelming. In the delivery room, your partner will be your closest anchor. This path is here to ensure you both feel deeply held, prepared, and connected. Together, we make sure you understand the unique layout of the Dutch birth environment, so you can make informed choices with peace of mind.
Hypnobirthing à la Marise was built with this in mind.
You’ll understand exactly how midwives, gynaecologists and the kraamzorg work together, no surprises. Your partner will have practical tools to support you with confidence. And you’ll know how to communicate your preferences clearly with Dutch medical staff, whatever language the conversation happens in.
The course is in English. The guidance is personal. And the community of international parents who have been through it is already here in Utrecht.
What’s included in this
childbirth preparation for the Netherlands
- A private partner session at home (5 hours, Utrecht/Amsterdam area) where your partner learns practical support techniques for pregnancy, labour and beyond.
- Five body-oriented 1:1 sessions for her, before or after birth. During these individual sessions, we integrate therapeutic pregnancy reflexology and holistic womb work to gently strengthen your foundation preventively, or to offer targeted support for specific pregnancy symptoms.
- Hypnobirthing and mindset tools: breathing techniques, guided relaxation, visualisation, and fear-release exercises you’ll use throughout pregnancy and during labour.
- Five hypnobirthing MP3s for daily practice, including the relaxation audio you received when you signed up.
- Access to 50+ videos in an online learning environment — available for nine months so you can revisit everything at your own pace.
- A birth plan template to document your preferences and prepare for informed conversations with your midwife.
- This programme is also suitable for special circumstances, including breech presentation, advanced maternal age, planned caesarean, posterior position, prolonged pregnancy, and group B strep. If your situation feels complex, that’s exactly when personalised guidance matters most.
- Continuous online support between sessions: questions answered, guidance offered, whenever you need it.
- Optional: the Mama Pregnancy Kit (€145): a curated set of hormone-friendly, eco-certified European products to support your daily pregnancy rituals.
- Optional: one or two postpartum sessions to support recovery and integration after birth.
Pricing and options
Group course — online live
€395 per couple
Live sessions via videocall, in a small group of max. 10 couples. Dates are planned together once enough participants have joined.
- 4 live group sessions via videocall
- Max. 10 couples — personal attention
- All five hypnobirthing mp3s
- 60+ video online course included free
- Birth plan template
- In English, Dutch or a mix of both
Dates are set together with the group — join the waitlist and Marise will be in touch.
The Full Birth Journey
€1.400 per couple
The complete integrated path — hypnobirthing, body-oriented support, and personal guidance throughout pregnancy and beyond.
- Private partner session at home (5 hrs)
- 5 body-oriented 1:1 sessions for her — before or after birth
- Fully personalised to your situation
- All five hypnobirthing mp3s + personalised guided meditations tailored to your situation
- 60+ video online course included free
- Birth plan template
- Continuous support between sessions
- Optional: Mama Pregnancy Kit (€145)
Because I want to give every single couple my full heart, presence, and undivided attention, I only accept a limited number of journeys each month. If you feel this path resonates with what you are looking for, let’s start with a gentle, cost-free introduction call to see if we are a good fit for this phase of your life.
Start online
€94 self-paced
Not ready to commit yet? Start here — and upgrade later without losing your investment.
- 60+ on-demand videos
- All five hypnobirthing mp3s
- Complete course book
- Nine months access
- Available immediately after purchase
If you join the group or full journey later, the online course is included free — your €94 is not lost.
Therapeutic sessions and birth prep courses may be partially reimbursed through Dutch supplementary health insurance via BATC registration. Check your policy — CZ, Menzis, VGZ and Zilveren Kruis often cover a portion.
Why this different birth prep approach – Your
Hypnobirthing practitioner from Utrecht speaking
I’m Marise: a complementary therapist, certified Hypnobirthing Teacher, and the person behind Natural Waves. I trained as a Hypnobirthing Teacher in the UK and have been teaching in English and Dutch for over four years, supporting expat couples and international families giving birth in the Netherlands.
What makes this programme mine: it’s built for this country. The Dutch birth system, the midwife-led model, the home birth tradition, the kraamzorg. I know it from the inside, and I’ve woven that knowledge into every part of the programme.
I’m also a hypnobirthing mother. I know what it feels like to use these tools, not just to teach them.
Over the past ten years, I’ve supported hundreds of women individually in my practice — through pregnancy, birth preparation, breech presentation, postpartum recovery, and everything in between. That one-to-one work is woven into the way I teach. I know what women actually need in the weeks before birth, not just what the theory says they need.
I felt a deep urgency to create a space that honours this whole journey, a preventive pathway where time, structure, and a warm, supportive environment allow practices and insights to truly sink in
Not sure yet about this natural birth support in the Netherlands?
Watch the free masterclass first, one hour that gives you a complete introduction to hypnobirthing and what to expect from giving birth in the Netherlands. No commitment required.
FAQ
Hypnobirthing à la Marise is a gentle, step-by-step guided integrated journey that supports you from early pregnancy through birth and into the postpartum period. It combines hypnobirthing techniques, body‑mind practices, partner guidance, and therapeutic support so you feel prepared, confident, and connected every step of the way.
Unlike shorter courses that focus mainly on the birthing process, this program is a complete journey. It gives you time to practice, integrate, and prepare your body, mind, and emotions for birth — and supports your recovery afterwards, helping you become an energetic, resilient parent.
Marise integrates her background as a birth educator with her expertise as a qualified complementary therapist, weaving both worlds together to offer you a soft, grounded, and deeply supportive space.
Yes! Partners are encouraged to take part, learning how to support you physically and emotionally, and to feel confident during pregnancy, birth, and beyond.
You can join early in pregnancy from 12 week onwards, or even during preconception with the gentle “A Soft Start.” The earlier you begin, the more time you have to prepare your body, mind, and heart — and set the foundation for a positive birth experience and energetic postpartum recovery.
Yes. Optional 1:1 sessions with Marise are part of the program, offering personalised guidance and therapeutic support tailored to your needs.
No. The Hypnobirthing à la Marise complements your regular maternity care. It focuses on emotional, mental, and energetic preparation alongside your medical checkups.
Typically 12–16 weeks, with ongoing support available after birth to help you and your baby thrive.
Because it’s not just about techniques — it’s about the whole journey: preconception, pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. With Marise’s rare combination of skills, you gain a structured, nurturing space to feel prepared, supported, and connected — with yourself, your partner, and your baby.
Book a Free Introductory Call — Let’s discuss your goals and find the level of support that’s right for your unique journey.