munyi doula
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It takes a village to empower a new mother, and an empowered mother to nurture a family.

The first weeks after birth are intense. Your body is recovering, your life is changing, and you are finding your way into parenthood, whether this is your first baby or not.
For many families, the real challenge begins once maternity care (the Dutch 'kraamzorg' system) comes to an end. Too often, parents move through this period feeling unsupported and isolated, without the care they need to truly recover after birth. Yet it is not in our nature to navigate such a profound transition alone.
This is where a postpartum doula can make all the difference. Together with your partner, family, friends, and wider support network, I help create the village around you. I offer practical support, emotional care, and guidance, ensuring that the things that often fall through the cracks are gently held and attended to.
A soft, supported beginning after birth is something I wish for every mother.

Dear New Mother and Parents,The Sacred Window
In Ayurveda and many traditional cultures around the world, there is the understanding of a "Sacred Window" , a period of approximately six weeks following birth during which a mother receives dedicated care and support.
During this time, rest, nourishing food, herbal support, specific body care practices, and community care are considered essential for recovery and wellbeing.
When this postpartum period is honoured and protected, a mother has the opportunity to heal, regain her strength, and step into her new role with confidence and vitality, while navigating the challenges of early motherhood with greater ease.Rest, Warmth & Nurturing Care
The transition into motherhood deserves to be recognised as a significant rite of passage.
By surrounding pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period with rest, warmth, and nurturing support, you create a strong foundation for healing and resilience. This foundation can help you meet the joys and challenges of motherhood with greater confidence and trust in yourself.The Postpartum Period
In many cultures, mothers are given an extended period of rest and dedicated care after birth. At the heart of this tradition lies one simple principle:
The mother is cared for, so that she can care for her baby.
Practical responsibilities such as cooking, grocery shopping, household tasks, and caring for older children are shared by the people around her.
This support may come from a partner, family members, friends, neighbours, or a postpartum doula. Together, they form the village that holds and supports the new family during this transformative time.For some, this approach may feel unfamiliar. Yet parents who have experienced this level of support often describe it as invaluable to their recovery and wellbeing.
Receiving help requires both openness and the willingness to communicate your needs. In doing so, you give those around you the opportunity to contribute in a meaningful way during this special chapter of your life.It is also helpful to protect your energy by limiting visitors and keeping commitments to a minimum, creating more space for rest, healing, and bonding with your baby.You Don't Have to Do It AloneImagine that:
𖦹 nourishing meals are prepared for you
𖦹 someone helps with light household tasks
𖦹 you have the space and time to rest, recover, and bond with your baby
𖦹 you will receive nurturing postpartum treatments and restorative massagesThis is the kind of support I offer.

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BELLYBelly careWarming Belly Massage & Wrap
After carrying your baby for nine months, your belly may feel empty and vulnerable after birth. This treatment offers a sense of comfort, grounding, and support.
You will receive a warming abdominal massage followed by a soft wool wrap around your body to support recovery and bring warmth and containment during the postpartum period.Moxa Therapy
Moxa is a traditional Chinese medicine practice that uses the warming properties of the mugwort plant to stimulate specific meridians in the lower abdomen and lower back.
This gentle heat therapy helps to promote circulation, relieve discomfort, support healing, and increase overall energy levels. The warmth penetrates deeply into the body and is especially beneficial for warming and nourishing the womb after birth.Belly Binding & Fajas
Using a long cotton cloth, I carefully wrap and support your abdomen. Belly binding is a traditional postpartum practice found in many cultures, including Malaysia and various South American countries.
Benefits may include:
𖦹 Supporting the abdomen and womb during recovery
𖦹 Encouraging better posture and reducing lower back strain
𖦹 Helping mothers feel physically and emotionally centred again
𖦹 Increasing comfort while feeding and moving throughout the day
𖦹 Supporting emotional wellbeing during the postpartum transition

RITUALLa Cerrada ꩜ Closing the Bones
An ancient Mexican postpartum ritual using woven shawls called rebozos.
This ceremony offers an opportunity to gently close the chapter of pregnancy and birth, physically, emotionally, energetically, and spiritually. It provides space to honour and integrate your birth experience while supporting your transition into motherhood.
The ritual traditionally takes place around forty days after birth, though it can be received whenever a mother feels ready, even years later.
On a physical level, the Closing the Bones ritual supports the natural repositioning and recovery of the womb, abdominal organs, and pelvis following birth.Closing of the bones beyond the postpartum period
Although Closing the Bones is traditionally offered during the postpartum period, this ritual can also be deeply supportive after other significant life transitions.
It may offer a space for reflection, integration, and closure following experiences such as:
𖦹 Pregnancy loss or fertility journeys
𖦹 Divorce or the end of a relationship
𖦹 Moving house or relocating
𖦹 Grief and loss
𖦹 Career changes or retirement
𖦹 Major life transitions and personal transformations
At its heart, Closing the Bones is a ritual of coming home to yourself. It offers an opportunity to honour what has been, gently release what no longer serves you, and create space for a new chapter to unfold.A shared ritual
If you wish, your partner, mother, sister, friend, or another loved one may participate in the ritual and help with the closure. Their presence can make this a beautiful moment of witnessing and closure.
Should you choose to include others, please arrange for someone else to care for your baby during the ceremony so that we can devote our full attention to you.
Please let me know if this is something you would like to include.

POSTPARTUM MASSAGEPostpartum Massage
After birth, a new chapter begins, not only in your life as a mother, but also within your body.Your body has expanded, opened, and worked intensely to bring new life into the world. Now it deserves gentleness, rest, and attentive care.
Touch and warmth form the foundation of this nurturing postpartum massage. They support you in settling into motherhood and reconnecting with your body.
Through deep relaxation, space is created for recovery and integration.
This treatment is not only for newly postpartum mothers. Whether you became a mother one year ago or ten years ago, you are welcome.Every postpartum journey is unique, which is why each massage is tailored to your individual needs and the messages your body is communicating in that moment.I work intuitively and with great care, listening to what your body asks for.What to Expect
You will receive an extensive warm oil massage designed to promote relaxation, recovery, and nourishment.The treatment may include acupressure points to support energetic balance, reiki and Holistic Pulsing techniques to help release tension and encourage deep relaxation.Practical Information
𖦹 Suitable from the first days after birth.
𖦹 After a caesarean birth, massage is offered around the scar area until complete healing has taken place.

NOURISHMENT
Nourishing Meals
Delicious, nourishing meals, snacks, warm drinks, and herbal remedies delivered to your home for the whole family.I prepare foods specifically designed to support postpartum recovery, inspired in part by Ayurvedic principles and traditional postpartum nutrition practices.During our intake session, we will discuss any dietary preferences, allergies, or specific needs.Fiona & Rik
"Lotje is truly a kitchen magician. She spoils mothers with the most delicious nourishing meals, warming drinks, and lovingly prepared treats. Everything is carefully selected, thoughtfully prepared, and made with so much attention and care. You can truly taste the love in every bite — and it quickly becomes something you don't want to live without."

YONIYoni Steam
Yoni steaming is an ancient practice found in cultures all around the world, including Europe.
Women have used herbal steam baths throughout different stages of life, including during the postpartum period.A postpartum yoni steam can support the healing of the womb and perineum through the gentle application of herbal steam while providing a deeply restorative moment of rest and self-care.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION𖦹 You may choose several of the treatments above to create your own ideal postpartum care experience.
𖦹 All treatments can also be booked individually.
𖦹 If you are interested, feel free to contact me and we can explore the possibilities together.Travel Costs
For home visits, I charge a travel fee when travelling by car or public transport, as well as any parking costs if applicable.Childcare During Treatments
Please ensure that another adult is available to care for your baby and any other children during the treatment. Of course, you are welcome to breastfeed, bottle-feed, or express milk whenever needed.Medical Considerations
In the case of complications during pregnancy, birth, a caesarean birth, or during the postpartum period, please consult your midwife, doctor, or healthcare provider beforehand and inform me accordingly.

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Pregnancy MassageA nurturing space to slow down, reconnect, and be cared for.Pregnancy is a profound and transformative journey. While much attention is naturally focused on the growing life within you, it is easy to forget how important it is that you, too, are cared for, nurtured, and supported.This pregnancy massage is an invitation to slow down, tune in, and reconnect, with yourself and with your baby.Each session is tailored to your unique needs and how you are feeling in that moment.I work intuitively and combine a variety of gentle, supportive techniques:
꩜ Pregnancy massage
꩜ Aromatherapy with subtle, pregnancy-safe scents
꩜ Sound and music
꩜ Holistic Pulsing
꩜ Reiki
꩜ AcupressureEverything unfolds at a gentle pace, with full attention to your comfort, wellbeing, and safety.What to Expect
You will be warmly welcomed and invited to settle in with a soothing foot bath, a cup of herbal tea.Before the massage begins, we take time to connect and explore how you are feeling and what your body may need that day.The massage is given in a comfortable side-lying position, supported by a pregnancy pillow to allow your body to fully relax.Special attention is given to areas that often carry extra tension during pregnancy, such as the lower back, pelvis, hips, shoulders, and neck.Practical Information
꩜ Available from 12 weeks of pregnancy until birth
꩜ Total duration, including foot bath and consultation: approximately 130 minutes
꩜ Fully tailored to your body, needs, and stage of pregnancy
Investment
€ ... (excluding travel costs if applicable)A Gift for Yourself, Dear Mama
Pregnancy asks a great deal of you, physically, emotionally, and mentally.
This is your opportunity to pause, soften, and receive.
A moment to rest, to reconnect with yourself and your baby, and to be lovingly cared for.You are so welcome.Available in my home practice or in the comfort of your own home.

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A thoughtful gift for the pregnancy or postpartum period.
Because she deserves to be cared for too!

What could be more meaningful than gifting a new mother a moment of care, rest, and nourishment?
Whether it is for a friend, daughter, sister, partner, or loved one who is pregnant or has recently given birth, a pregnancy massage, postpartum treatment/massage, or nourishing meal can be a beautiful way to show your love and support during this transformative time.A gift voucher can be used for one of my treatments, postpartum support, or nourishing meals prepared with care.If you would like to gift a special experience to a new mother, feel free to send me a message and together we will create a beautiful surprise for her.♡

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Tailored Postpartum Doula Support

Every mother, baby, and family is unique. That is why I offer personalised postpartum care, tailored to your wishes, needs, and circumstances.Together, we prepare for the postpartum period during the final weeks of pregnancy, helping you enter this new chapter with greater confidence, clarity, and peace of mind. We discuss how often you would like support during the postpartum period and what kind of care feels most valuable for your family.If desired, we can also create a postpartum care plan together.Support may include:
𖦹 Care for mother and baby
𖦹 Emotional support and a listening ear
𖦹 Light household tasks
𖦹 Grocery shopping
𖦹 Spending time with older children
𖦹 Nourishing meals that support recovery (and tastes delicious!)
𖦹 Postpartum massages
𖦹 Herbal baths and sitz baths
𖦹 Yoni steaming
𖦹 Belly binding
𖦹 La Cerrada / Closing the Bones Ceremony

Postpartum nutrition specifically designed to support recovery after birth

Sacred Postpartum Care. A Six-Week Postpartum Journey.A six-week support package inspired by the traditional understanding of the first forty days after birth, a precious period that lays the foundation for your recovery, wellbeing, and transition into motherhood.An Investment in Your Recovery
Postpartum care is not a luxury; it is an investment in yourself, your wellbeing, and your family.
If the cost of postpartum doula support feels beyond your current budget, please reach out. Together we can explore what may be possible.
I believe that every mother deserves access to nurturing postpartum care.Individual Sessions
𖦹 €40 per hour
𖦹 Minimum booking of 3 hours per visitSacred Postpartum Care Package (6 Weeks)
𖦹 Two visits per week for six weeks
𖦹 Each visit lasts approximately 3 hours
𖦹 Includes a La Cerrada / Closing the Bones Ceremony
𖦹 Once per week I bring a nourishing postpartum meal, snack, and warming drink for the family, prepared to support the mother's recovery and wellbeingInvestment: €1400
This price includes all preparation time, including meal planning and cooking.
The cost of groceries and any additional expenses are not included.Let's Connect
I would love to meet you for a complimentary, no-obligation introductory conversation to explore how I can support you and your family during this special time.♡A supported mother creates the foundation for a thriving family.

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About me

Hi, I'm Lotje!For as long as I can remember, I have been fascinated by the magic of pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period.A few years ago, I decided to follow that fascination and immerse myself in this world. Since then, I have been learning from inspiring teachers, mentors, midwives, birth workers, and traditional practitioners from around the world, and I continue to deepen my knowledge and practice every day.Supporting new mothers and families is work that truly lights me up.My intention is to support mothers and families during a period that is often underestimated, yet profoundly important and transformative.I work from a perspective in which both mother and baby are at the centre. When a mother feels supported, nurtured, and held, she is better able to offer that same sense of safety, connection, and calm to her baby.My approach is inspired by traditional and ancestral practices from different cultures around the world, teachings that I have had the privilege to learn with deep respect and gratitude, combined with modern knowledge and evidence-based care.I aim to bring warmth, rest, nourishment, and a sense of being cared for, while helping you reconnect with your own strength, intuition, and confidence as a mother.Why "Munyi"?The name of my practice, Munyi, means "woman" in the Kogi language.The Kogi are an Indigenous people living in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in northern Colombia. They are one of the few communities who have maintained many of their ancestral traditions and ways of life.The wisdom of the Kogi people, particularly around conception, pregnancy, birth, and raising children, has deeply inspired me.By choosing the name Munyi for my practice, I wish to honour and acknowledge this wisdom with respect and gratitude.If you would like to learn more about the Kogi, I highly recommend the documentary:From the Heart of the World: The Elder Brothers' Warning (1992), directed by Alan Ereira for the BBC.

• Watch the documentary by clicking here.

Education, Training & Continuing Professional Development𓇬 Apprenticeship and ongoing learning with postpartum caregivers, birth keepers, and midwives from around the world (2024 – present)𓇬 Postpartum Practitioner at Mums & More𓇬 Rebozo & Closing the Bones for Professionals Workshop with Thea van Tuijl𓇬 Wombs of the World Birth Worker Summit, Berlin𓇬 RAAK Pregnancy Massage Training𓇬 Yoni Steam Workshop for Birth Professionals, Nienke Claassen / Beran Earth Reconnection𓇬 Postpartum Doula Training, Holos Academie & Postnatal Support Network𓇬 Ongoing online mentorship programme with Mexican midwife Naoli Vinaver, The Art of BirthMy wish for every motherTo feel supported.To feel nourished.To feel held.And to know that she does not have to do it all alone.

Kogi women, Munyi

Jaba Antonina and Jaba Isabel

Jaba Rosa and baby
Pictures: Jan-Frank Gerards

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Testimonials

Postpartum Doula Support"We had such a wonderful postpartum period, thanks in no small part to Lotje.With her warm presence and caring nature, she not only eased this transition but truly enriched it.Every week she filled our fridge with the most nourishing meals, and I was lovingly cared for through massages, foot baths, yoni steaming, and a beautiful Closing the Bones ceremony.Lotje seemed to notice everything and everyone. Before we knew it, the laundry was done, the bed had fresh sheets, our children received loving attention, she took time to connect with my partner, and she cared for our baby so I could spend precious one-on-one time with our eldest child.I felt deeply supported, nurtured, and cared for. I wish every new mother could have a Lotje during her postpartum period."— Joske & Stijn"Lotje is truly a kitchen magician. She spoils mothers with the most delicious nourishing meals, warming drinks, and lovingly prepared treats. Everything is carefully selected, thoughtfully prepared, and made with so much attention and care. You can truly taste the love in every bite — and it quickly becomes something you don't want to live without."— Fiona & RikClosing the Bones Ceremony"The rustling of the leaves, the beautiful scents of the oils, the gentle hands, the warm bath, the soothing herbs, and the supportive woven cloths.Our daughter lay beside me throughout the entire ceremony. I had journeyed out into the stars to bring her here, and now it was time to return — to return to my body. To honour it, feel it, and nourish it.What an extraordinary experience. Through Lotje's loving attention and presence, I felt deeply held and supported.Thank you, dear Lotje."— Joske"I received a truly special Closing the Bones ceremony from Lotje, almost a year and a half after the birth of my daughter.What a gift it was to mark the end of a chapter in this way. Lotje works with such care, gentleness, and ease. You can feel the love she brings into everything she does.Thank you, Lotje. If there is ever another baby in our future, I would choose you as my doula without hesitation."— Anniek"Thank you so much. It was a wonderful and deeply meaningful experience.I highly recommend a Closing the Bones ceremony to everyone, not only mothers. It is incredibly relaxing, restorative, and healing.And for all new mothers looking for support and healing after birth: reach out to Lotje for these beautiful rituals and loving care."— Nana

Gratitude

I wish to express my deep gratitude and respect to the wise traditional birth keepers, midwives, and maternal health guardians from whom I have had the privilege to learn.I honour the value of their knowledge, knowledge that has often been passed down through generations and is rooted in a profound connection to land, community, body, and spirit.Their teachings have not only shaped my work but have also deepened my understanding of birth, care, community, and human connection.I recognise that I do not come from many of the cultures from which this wisdom originates. For that reason, I am especially grateful for the trust that has been placed in me as an outsider and student. I do not see this knowledge as something I own, but rather as a gift and a responsibility.I also acknowledge the challenges many traditional and Indigenous birth keepers face today. In many parts of the world, their knowledge and practices continue to be affected by the ongoing impacts of colonisation, medical dominance, legal restrictions, and the loss of cultural traditions.I support their right to preserve, practise, and pass on their knowledge to future generations on their own terms.With respect, gratitude, and solidarity, I honour the women who have shared their wisdom, experience, and trust with me.Among them are:𖦹 Martha Arotingo y Luzmila Morán Ancestral Midwives, Kichwa Nation, Cotacachi, Ecuador𖦹 Partera Yuu — Oaxaca, Mexico𖦹 Sandra Bautista — Mexico𖦹 Salwa & Mama Gie — Malaysia♡

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contactgegevens

I would love to hear from you.Whether you are expecting a baby, preparing for your postpartum period, or simply curious about how I can support you, feel free to reach out.E-mail: [email protected]Location: Near the city centre of Nijmegen, The Netherlands.Home visits may also be possible, depending on your location and availability. Please get in touch to discuss the options.Instagram: @munyidoula♡I look forward to connecting with you.

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Member of Postnatal Support Network