Ode to Beatrijs Smulders | A midwife

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Beatrice,
 

A midwife, a beautiful woman, a strong, sensitive, 'headstrong', courageous woman.

She put The Midwife on the map at a time when birth care was becoming increasingly medicalised. Beatrice dared to speak out, stood on the barricades for women's freedom of choice.
Which remains guaranteed as long as home birth is a viable option. She empowered many women and many midwives too. Beatrice put crutch birth back on the map. Making it commonplace in hospitals too, and now unmissable in the arsenal of birthing positions.

Besides being on the barricades, she has always been very hospitable. Her home was always open for various gatherings. She likes to bring people together, allowing all kinds of cross-pollinations to happen.
And besides, she is a beautiful woman to look at. An example for how to get through the years gracefully as a woman.

I learnt so much in my time as an obstetrics student when I first worked as a delivery assistant in her practice for several years. There, people dared to give the physiological process a chance for as long as possible. There, women were guided from their wishes. Later I became her colleague, which I also remember with fond memories.
 

I think Beatrijs is a true Amsterdammer, because she ensured that we in Amsterdam are always critical of developments and feel united as midwives to serve the interests of all women (and their children and partners!).