Interview with an expat

Nina Busch

I am from Germany and I have been living in the Netherlands, in Amsterdam, for 4 months now.

I am working at 5PM in the International Marketing Team. 5PM is a full-service YouTube agency. Our team consists of the best YouTube experts and we help our clients to maximize their reach and turnover as well as optimize and manage their own YouTube channels. My main responsibilities include managing the German PokerStars channel and helping to develop the best strategy for 5PM’s internationalization, especially on the German market.

In summer 2016, I came to the Netherlands with some friends and we had a great time doing the typical tourist excursions.

What I really love about the Netherlands is that everyone rides their bike everywhere. It’s so nice to get some fresh air and also to stay fit and healthy. I also love being so close to the sea. It always feels good to escape the bustle of the city and enjoy some hours at the beach.

I was fortunately able to visit a few restaurants before the lockdown. I liked the atmosphere and the food at Mamas & Tapas in the Jordaan district best.

Where do you prefer to relax in your city? Although it’s super crowded on the weekOld city Sabina Sadigly ends, especially when the sun is shining, I like to relax in Vondelpark.

During my first week living in Amsterdam, I discovered the fashion store THE STING, where I found beautiful pieces to wear. They have many stores with fancy and creative fashion for men and women. And I really like that the stores in the Netherlands are open seven days a week. In Germany all the stores are closed on Sundays, so it’s super nice that you have the possibility to shop all weekend here.

I like to spend my weekends with my friends or roommates. We usually go to the Albert Cuyp market on Saturdays to buy fresh food and cook a nice dinner in the evening. If it’s not too windy outside, we also like to go to Zandvoort or Scheveningen for long walks on the beach.

As I really listen to music the whole day, I can say that I like the Dutch DJ Martin Garrix.

I would always recommend renting a bike as it’s the best way to explore the cities. Also, probably the most beautiful activity in Amsterdam is strolling along the canals or doing a canal cruise, where you can discover the city from the water.

Bitterballen and freshly made stroopwafels from the street markets are my favourite Dutch foods. I don’t like broodje haring.

During my time in Amsterdam, I celebrated Sinterklaas on 5 December. My friends and I had little gifts and creative poems that we gave to each other.

In the evenings, I like to go out to the Pijp, which is probably the liveliest part of Amsterdam. I love the high density of cafes and restaurants in the neighbourhood and the multicultural atmosphere.

I would also recommend the beaches, as the atmosphere definitely feels like you’re on holiday.

I wish I knew. Covid and the lockdown kept me away from finding out secrets in Amsterdam.

Interview by Marla Thomson

Bitterballen

Biking in Amsterdam

That the sun shines too rarely.

I have my colleagues at work and count them as my friends. Due to Covid we have online after-work drinks every Friday, which is nice to keep in touch with everyone. They all have super nice insider tips on where to go and what to see during my stay. Julia, who also works with me, is a really nice and enthusiastic tour guide and showed me some cool places as well as typical Dutch food.

I only had good experiences with Dutch people so far. Everyone is super friendly and helpful. I also felt really welcome when joining 5PM and enjoy being around my coworkers.

This year the Mother and Child Center is being built in HMC, which is expected to open at the end of 2021. In addition to the current birthing baths, this Mother and Child Center will have more than six luxurious, brand new birthing baths. One of these has recently been put into use in HMC. Marlou van Nus (31) gave birth in this new bath last fall. “A very pleasant experience!”

To prepare for her delivery, Marlou watches the video about giving birth in HMC on the website during her pregnancy. She immediately notices one of the rooms in the video. “Big, beautiful and without typical hospital fluorescent lights”, she describes with a smile. “And most importantly, the room has a brand-new birthing bath. Although there is a chance that the room will be occupied when I have to give birth, I wanted to go for this.”

September 22 is the day that Marlou’s contractions begin and together with her boyfriend she gets into the car towards HMC. To her surprise, Marlous’ favorite room turns out to be available. “How great!”

Different positions “During the contractions I was able to walk back and forth in the spacious, homely room,” she says. “When the last phase started, I got into the bath. The warm water immediately eased my pain. I could adopt different positions: on my back, side and forward in the bath. The bath also has many useful supporting points so that you can take care of the (pushing) contractions with your feet. The bath itself can be raised and lowered: great for the midwife, she told me”. Marlou also does the pushing quite well. “The water makes you weightless, I really liked that.” And then, in the water, after midnight on September 23, a healthy little boy is born: Jurre. Marlou: “By giving birth in the bath, the transition was not that big for him. In my amniotic fluid in the abdomen, he was also in the warmth. Giving birth in the bath was not only very pleasant for myself, but also for Jurre, I think!”

Marlou looks back with a smile on her delivery in the birthing bath of HMC. “It all went very well, without complications. Jurre’s weight was a bit low when he was born; we had to stay 24 hours for some checkups, but then we could go home, the three of us.”

Marlou and the baby are both doing well. Jurre is growing very well, according to his proud mother. Due to corona, the information evenings about giving birth in HMC will be canceled for the time being, but all information for (expectant) mothers can be found on the webpage www.haaglandenmc.nl/giving-birth. You can also watch the extensive video about giving birth in HMC.

Would you like to know more about information meetings for expats? Contact Nanda Jagusiak-Monteiro, Expat Coordinator E n.jagusiakmonteiro@haaglandenmc.nl

Foreign Business Financial issues can be discussed with the employees of the Centrale Kas. E Foreign-business@haaglandenmc.nl Telephone hours of business: Tuesday and Thursday 10.00 - 12.00 am T +31 (0)88 979 29 00 T +31 (0)88 97 97 900

Nanda Jagusiak-Monteiro

Giving birth in HMC continues as usual, even during time of the corona virus. In HMC, just like Marlou, you can opt for a delivery in the birthing bath. But you can also use other tools in our delivery rooms, such as a skippy ball or a birthing stool. Moreover, at HMC we are specialized in (complex) caesarean sections and various forms of pain relief during childbirth and we offer gentle or even maternal assisted caesarean.

Pain relief If you need pain relief while giving birth, please do not hesitate to ask. Together, we will try and decide which type of analgesic is the most suited to your particular situation at that moment. When you discuss your upcoming delivery with your midwife or obstetrician, you will be provided with information on the various types of pain relief. You are allowed, but not obliged, to include your pain relief preferences in your birth plan.

Cardiac monitoring We continuously monitor your baby’s heart rate during delivery. We do this with a special device that records the heartbeat. We call such a recording a cardiotocogram (CTG). In HMC we use wireless CTG devices. This allows you to move freely, while we look after your child and your health. You can use it in the shower and bath.

www.haaglandenmc.nl info@haaglandenmc.nl