I am struggling a bit to write this review because I still feel so emotional and touched by our experience with House of Care and the two nurses we had the privilege of meeting: Antoinet and Mieke. But I will do my best.
I think House of Care, and perhaps the Universe, sent them into our lives in exactly the right order and at exactly the right time.
Unfortunately, my delivery was far from smooth, so we came home with a lot of emotions, fears, and feelings to process, and, as it turned out, an unexpected complication arose just one day later.
Antoinet was caring and kind from the very beginning, paying attention not only to my baby and me but equally to my husband. I am sure she is a terrific maternity nurse even when focusing solely on the practical aspects of the job, but in our case, she did so much more. She was our biggest support, helped us through our most vulnerable and emotionally fragile times, and transitioned us from a married couple into a family.
On that scary morning, I felt something was not okay, so I followed the instructions by calling the midwife, who did her best to advise me, and we hung up. When Antoinet arrived, I briefly informed her about the situation as I thought I would be fine. As a new mom, with hormones and adrenaline working so hard to enable me to take care of our baby, husband, and home, I forgot to pay enough attention to myself. Antoinet looked beyond what I told her, paying attention to the signs from me and my body, and immediately called the midwife to come and did not take no for an answer. Half an hour later, I was in such unbearable pain that I cannot describe, but luckily help was on the way by then, and I received the proper treatment in time.
She held our hands and souls at the same time, and after that we experienced the most beautiful time as a new family with her on our side.
Mieke was also fantastic and helped us a lot to take care of our baby and each other. She was very calm and patient during the whole time, sharing a lot of knowledge and experience she has and causing some very fun moments. Mieke: we now officially call the pacifier a satisfier; there is no more accurate name for it.
I am closing this review with happy tears in my eyes and the deepest gratitude in my heart. You are not nurses, you are superheroes. Thank you for everything.