Mathilde Noordzij
Eagle Vision Coaching and Training
Website
Postpartum Doula
First of all, congratulations on expecting a precious new family member. If you're looking at this directory, you are most likely looking for support, so I also want to congratulate you on acknowledging that you may need support on this journey. Good on you, you are on your way to building your village!
I am a mother of 3 wonderful young adults myself, and being a new immigrant in New Zealand when my babies were born, I am very aware that newborn mothering is hard work!
The past decade I have spent supporting newborn families with babies who need special medical attention, sometimes surgery in the first few days, and often in need of lifelong support. If it normally takes a village to bring up a child, in the case of a medical baby this applies to untold degree. The arrival of such special precious little one is a very steep learning curve, and brings with it a roller coaster of emotions.
When my babies were tiny tots, a compassionate friend told me one day: 'You need mothering,' everything in me reeled against that statement and I told her in no uncertain terms that "I was just fine, thank you!" But that evening, in the dark of my bedroom, I cried because I realised that that was exactly what I longed for. Not to pass on my responsibility for my children, but for someone to hold space for me, walk beside me and nurture me every now and then.
It is my deep passion, motivation and absolute privilege to have walked beside many families over the years, and it is my desire to keep doing so. If you let me walk beside you for a while, I will hold compassionate space for you to be the best , or the worst of you, whichever you need to be in the moment. I will nourish you with meals, snacks and comforting beverages, carefully selected for you to help you get your body back to strength, I will help you build your village (even when it seems impossible), I will help you overcome the mountain of washing that's been collecting, and I'll even give you some practical tools to help you through the worst moments in the time to come.
Understanding that this time is also challenging for the surrounding village (partners, extended family), I have space for them too.
Let's talk!
Here's what others have said about me:
“I want to thank you for all your guidance and mentorship and friendship. Your care and compassion to everyone is something I deeply admire in you.”
“Mathilde, you are a delightful bundle of surprises! How I have enjoyed this time, listening to your humour, your reflective, considered, and sagely input. You shine forth wisdom, integrity, honesty, transparency, encouragement and a receptivity to all.”