Below is a list of potential programs and action plans. We need your input to shape them into helpful and efficient services for international women. We hope that all communities of mothers will join efforts to improve the maternity system for all mothers (to-be) in Delft.

Thank you for your feedback and practical support turning these ideas into real programs! Please use our contact page to send your comments. 

 Addressing international women's apprehensions on local differences

Reducing fear and lack of trust through education and cross-cultural debates:

• Facilitating communication between existing services and international clients
• Preparing foreign expecting mothers for childbirth and taking care of a baby (course)
• Organizing pregnancy support groups , such as tea mornings with guest speakers and playgroups
• Bringing together best practices from Dutch and other cultures through a Delft Multicultural baby festival
  

Designing multilingual tools to explain maternity and newborn healthcare systems in Delft (including Dutch keywords and expressions related to maternity, bilingual videos explaining different steps, creating diagram of process with multilingual tags). Explaining how pro home birth women from the Netherlands and other countries prepare physically and mentally to give birth in an environment where pain medication may not be readily available or not encouraged.

Teaching the process of giving birth to first time mothers (bilingual course in English from well acclimated bilingual instructor, would be extended to other languages according to needs). Course curriculum would be the result of combining different techniques of preparation from feedback of mothers (whatever countries they gave birth in) and what was useful to them or wish they had known more about. Designing maternity and baby care related Dutch language course (tutoring from multilingual mothers, printed materials, video).

Helping Maternity Related Organizations Evaluate International Clients' Needs

• Designing and analyzing a survey or series of interviews from existing international mothers who gave birth in Delft

• Sharing survey results at ongoing meetings between maternity related organizations in Delft

• Creating a database of multilingual healthcare staff in and around Delft accessible by huisartsen and Consultatie Bureau for referrals

• Creating multilingual brochures with professional advice on how to recover from difficult births

Helping Foreign Expecting Mothers Break Their Isolation

• Encouraging a mentoring partnership between a bilingual Dutch mother and an international mother to explain local philosophy over pregnancy and birth, practical help about where to get baby or mother related items in Delft
• Creating a group of international women (Dutch expecting mothers comfortable speaking English are invited too) who are around the same stage of pregnancy, to build friendships
• Inviting speakers from the Dutch and international community to debate over realities of being a first time mother or mother abroad, during scheduled networking meetings 
  

Creating a Cycle of Learning and Giving

• Inviting new mothers to share their birthing stories and newborn care within their maternity support group and at a later date with next group of expecting mothers
• New mothers can become mentors to future mothers when they are ready for it
• Passing on maternity and baby clothes and accessories (including unused kraampakket items) when no longer needed, giving priority to mothers with lower income (can be done in partnership with Kraamzorg Delfland who is developing similar programs)
• Passing on books, CDs and magazines on maternity issues through a future Delft MaMa library