Contact
Biography
I am a Dutch midwife and a clinical epidemiologist. I worked as an independent midwife in the Netherlands, with (at that time) a >50% home birth rate. Now I (occasionally) work as a clinical based midwife. I did my Masters in Epidemiology and the title of my PhD dissertation was 'Management of term and postterm pregnancy'. My main research interest is in the evaluation of maternity and/or midwifery care and more specifically on optimising physiological labour and birth and client experiences and participation. However, I do emphasize other research to improve care for women. In my opinion it is important for all women to have a positive childbirth experience. Achieving this should be the challenge for all maternity care providers.
Expertise Summary
I am an experienced hospital-based midwife, providing intrapartum care to both low-risk and high-rsik pregnant women.
As a clinical epidemiologist, my expertise lies in both quantitative and qualitative research methods.
Teaching Summary
I provide education for student midwives, both on bachelor and master degree level. I supervise PhD students ad master students (master thesis). In the hospital, I also supervise student midwives in… read more
Research Summary
My research specialisation is merely on quantitative research methods, although I also do have experience in qualitative research methods.Being an epidemiologist, I have experience in different… read more
I provide education for student midwives, both on bachelor and master degree level. I supervise PhD students ad master students (master thesis). In the hospital, I also supervise student midwives in their clinical internships.
Research on autonomous supportive consultations
Current Research
My research specialisation is merely on quantitative research methods, although I also do have experience in qualitative research methods.Being an epidemiologist, I have experience in different research methods, such as RCTs, systematic reviews and meta-analyses.
Next to this I am specialised in patient involvement and action research.
Current research projects:
- the evaluation of antenatal CTG close to women's home, by community midwives.
- Respectful Maternity Care in high income country
- Optimising detection of fetal growth restriction
- Autonomous supportive consultations
- COVID-19 and pregnancy
- Induction of labour: priming; experiences and expectations of women.
- Organisation of maternity care
- Pelvic floor/perineum protection during child birth
Past Research
Intra-uterine Pressure Catheter (RCT)
Induction of labour.
Prediction of cesarean section
Cervical length
Future Research
Future research focusses on optimising physiological childbirth. Research topic: induction of labour; third stage of labour; public health: plant-based diet in pregnancy