Meet Pascale Lamacchia, Doula & Chinese Medicine specialist in Amsterdam

At Parentally, we exist to help new and future parents find the extra care and support they may need. We do so not only by raising awareness around all the different types of support available for them at every stage of the parenthood journey, but also by offering a platform to the very individuals who have made it their vocation and mission to help and serve new families.

Today we are meeting with Pascale Lamacchia, founder of Pascale’s Healing Hands. She will tell us more about all the different ways she supports new and future moms from Pregnancy to Postpartum and helps them welcome their baby in the best conditions.

Welcome Pascale! Can you please introduce yourself?

My name is Pascale and I come from France. I’m the mother of two beautiful souls. I live in Amsterdam Houthaven where I have my practice of Chinese Medicine for pregnant women (to ease the painful symptoms of the pregnancy) and I’m a Doula. I’ve had my own company for 10 years and I’m passionate about my job which brings me so much good energy.

What did you do before becoming a Doula and Chinese Medicine specialist?

In my previous professional life I was working in Import/Export but the only interesting part of it was to take care of my pregnant colleagues 😉

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?

I support physically with a special treatment which eases the symptoms of the pregnancy (nausea, reflux, back pain, insomnia…) and emotionally with a lot of listening and using sometimes EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) also called psychological acupressure to resolve emotional issues. Then I make sure that the couple is aware of the physiology so that they can make their own choices regarding the birth of their baby. My objective is to see them welcome their baby in the best conditions.

What inspired you to choose this path?

I’ve always been fascinated by pregnant women. As a little girl I was touching the belly of pregnant women and was so attracted to babies. My only ambition in life was to become a mother as soon as possible which happened when I was 24. I witnessed my first birth (a friend of my parents) when I was 12 and it’s one of my best souvenirs, along with my own births.

After the birth of my second child, I wanted to train as a midwife but it was not possible at the time due to my family situation. Later, when I learned about the doula job, I understood it was my dream job: no medical interventions but support and guidance to the mother. I had found my path. Life made it possible for me when my partner moved to The Netherlands.

What is for you the most rewarding part of your work?

What I love the most is to witness the power of women and their bodies. How they can be self confident and birth their babies their way. And after, it is to see a father so proud of his wife.

What kind of education and training did you receive?

I trained in Chinese Medicine, Qiqong and Reflexology in Switzerland and I did my doula training in Amsterdam with BIA Doula. I read lots of books to learn about the physiology of birth and all the support doulas could bring to the mothers. I felt confident about birth and the first one I supported confirmed my passion for this job.

Are there any common misconceptions about your work, especially as a Doula? How do you address them?

I think the most common thing is to think that a doula is like a midwife. But we don’t have the same kind of Job. The doula doesn’t proceed to any medical intervention. Our role during the birth is very clear and we always collaborate the best with the medical team to help the mother to birth safely her baby.

What’s one thing you wish more people knew about perinatal care and support?

It’s so important that both parents prepare for birth physically and mentally, understand what’s happening, what’s going to happen, options available, pros and cons.

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?

Nowadays it’s very difficult for parents to trust themselves, follow their instinct as they have too many information coming from the social medias. They have an image of what pregnancy, birth, post-partum should look like and they forget about taking into account how it actually feels for themselves.

What advice would you give them?

You’re conceiving the most important person of your life and this needs care and time. Being parents is the most beautiful and the most difficult thing you’ll experience but if you prepare yourself the right way and have your “village” to support you then everything’s gonna be ok.

→ Learn more about Pascale 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.

Here are some posts you might also be interested in:
– Future parents articles
– New parents articles