KarollAt Parentally, we exist to help new and future parents find extra care and support to navigate the twists and turns of parenthood. Our missions is not only to raise awareness around all the different types of support that exist for parents, but also to facilitate access to the professionals available to support them throughout their journey.
Today we are meeting with Flore Smit, founder of FS Maternity. She will tell us about all the different ways she supports new and future moms from Pregnancy to Postpartum and how she helps them welcome their baby in the best conditions.
Welcome Flore! Can you please introduce yourself?
My name is Flore Smit, I’m from France and I have been living in Amsterdam since 2021 where I have started my own company, FSmaternity. As an experienced midwife, I provide personalized courses to prepare parents for pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum. I also offer breastfeeding support and perineum rehabilitation. Lately, I have also been busy working on getting my French diploma recognized in the Netherlands, finally completed in august 2023. I am currently working in a midwifery practice in Amsterdam suburb.
Besides this, I’m also a mom of two little boys with whom I try to spend as much time as possible, along with my husband and my friends.
What did you do before coming to the Netherlands?
I worked for ten years in French university hospitals as a midwife. I accompanied pregnant women through this incredible journey, from prenatal consultations, to ER, delivery room and postnatal care. I also performed ultrasounds. I enjoyed working with a multi-professional team.
Can you tell us more about how you help new and future parents during the perinatal period, and the role(s) you play on their journey?
With my background as a midwife, I like to provide comprehensive support to new and expectant parents during the perinatal period and the early days of parenthood. This includes offering prenatal education, emotional support during pregnancy, labor & childbirth, and guidance on newborn care, breastfeeding, and postpartum recovery.
My goal is to empower parents, address their unique needs, and guide them through this transformative journey. I aim to create a compassionate environment where parents feel supported and prepared for the challenges and joys of parenthood.
What inspired you to choose this path?
The inspiration behind choosing the path of being a midwife stemmed from a deep passion for women’s health, the miracle of childbirth, and the profound impact it has on families. Witnessing the incredible journey of pregnancy, childbirth, and early parenthood is a powerful experience.
I am driven by the belief that every person deserves compassionate and knowledgeable support during the perinatal period, and I find great fulfillment in being a part of this process for families. The opportunity to make a positive impact on the well-being of both parents and newborns motivates me every day in this meaningful profession.
Having two kids myself, I am more than ever convinced that the persons we meet during our journeys have a very important role to play.
What is for you the most rewarding part of your work?
Having relaxed and serene parents during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum.
What kind of education and training did you receive?
I studied for five years to become a midwife (including a lot of internships), one year to become an ultrasonographer and I have a complementary diploma to rehabilitate perineum after childbirth. During my work as a clinical midwife, I also took part in many meetings and conferences to stay up-to-date.
Are there any common misconceptions about your work as a Midwife? How do you address them?
The role of a midwife is not limited to the delivery room. We are not assistants to doctors. Our profession is autonomous. It’s not the most beautiful job in the world every day, but quite often, and I’m proud of it.
What’s one thing you wish more parents knew about perinatal care and support?
I wish they knew they are not alone. Struggling is normal and they don’t have to find all the solutions by themselves, it’s ok to seek and receive some help.
What do you see as the biggest challenges facing new and future parents today, and how do you help them address those challenges in your work?
Everyone has its own opinion about parenting and they are more than happy to share it. It’s not always helping. To many do’s and don’ts. I’d like to give parents the confidence they need so that unkind remarks and unsolicited advice slide off without making them doubt their abilities. I also wish for them to know that things are rarely black or white, and that common sense is often more than enough.
What advice would you give them?
Trust yourself. It takes a village, ask for help if you need it. And if you have a partner, make him / her your best teammate.
→ Learn more about Flore and her services by visiting her profile on Parentally.
→ Are you looking for prenatal and postnatal support? Please visit our website to browse all available services.
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– Future parents articles
– New parents articles
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