Inspiring women - Monique Van Holderbeke
MONIQUE VAN HOLDERBEKE
MIDWIFE AT 'HET BEVALLIGE BUIKJE'
Inspiring Women is an ode to women who write their own stories every day; brimming with personality, passion and style. We put a few of these strong women in the spotlight every season, sharing their inspiring stories, what drives them and their favourite Xandres pieces. This time on the theme of 'Motherhood', and all the aspects that come with it.
From school boards to Pakistan to Het Bevallige Buikje - read midwife Monique's story below.
#xandreswomen
WHO IS MONIQUE?
This year, for the first time, Xandres held an open call, asking our community to submit their personal Inspiring Woman.
From all the entries, we chose Monique - midwife, mum and grandma at heart. She was nominated by her daughter, as she supports the power of other women with her inspiring warmth and sincerity. For 43 years, she has guided young mums through the most beautiful, yet most challenging period of their lives: from becoming pregnant to raising a child. She took her diverse experiences in third-world countries to her work in Belgium, and that remarkable story makes her the ideal match for our Inspiring Women campaign on motherhood.
We spent a day with her at Xandres, and in her own habitat.
COUCH TALK WITH MONIQUE
HOW DID 'HET BEVALLIGE BUIKJE' START?
"Actually, I first studied nursing, then midwifery. After my studies, I worked for several years in Pakistan, then Congo with my husband, who is a doctor. Leaving there was a difficult decision, but eventually we returned to Belgium to start a family. After my time abroad, I realised that I wanted to assist young mothers in more than just giving birth. I wanted to witness all aspects, from pregnancy to after birth, up close. That’s why I started Het Bevallige Buikje 20 years ago as an independent midwife. Back then, it wasn’t very common for a midwife to visit women’s homes to support them prenatally and postnatally, and it had a big impact right from the start. A few more midwives joined after two years, and we now have a team of five supporting pregnant women and young mums."
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT YOUR DAUGHTER ENTERING YOU AS AN INSPIRING WOMAN?
"I am a mother of three daughters and grandmother of six. My eldest daughter entered me, which I think is a great honour. I retired this year, and even though I am very proud that one of my daughters is taking over Het Bevallige Buikje, I am still having a hard time letting go. They saw this Inspiring Women campaign as the ideal end to my career, and the start of a new chapter. They also surprised me with photos, memories and words forwarded by my patients over the years. Now I can literally look back on my career through a wall of beautiful photos."
HOW DO YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
"It is such a privilege to be part of such a special period in someone’s life. Pregnant women often have dozens of questions, and our job is to answer them in simple terms and inform them about the reality of being pregnant. It’s not always sunshine and rainbows, and it doesn’t have to be. Acknowledging that makes them feel understood and reassured. We provide the necessary medical and psychological support in the process, but they can also come to us for pregnancy yoga, for example. We only ‘let go’ of the women we support when we feel they no longer need us and can manage on their own. "
DO YOU HAVE A MESSAGE FOR OUR #XANDRESWOMEN?
"I think the pressure on young, pregnant women is very high. You have to have a career, be beautiful, beautifully pregnant, you have to keep working during your pregnancy, start again soon after giving birth, and I think that’s a shame. We should give women time to get used to the idea that being pregnant turns your whole life upside down and that it is never like you imagined. Try to enjoy those moments that pass by so quickly, and also give yourself time to get to know your baby. "
Read more about 'Het Bevallige Buikje' via hetbevalligebuikje.be or via Instagram @het_bevallige_buikje.
WATCH THE VIDEO HERE
MONIQUES SELECTION
3 MOMENTS, 3 XANDRES-LOOKS
BUSINESSLOOK
"A smooth dress that is easy to style for any time. Great that there is a matching jacket!”
DAY-TO-DAY
"The loose, fluid and comfortable fabric of the kimono is perfect to wear when I'm busy with my grandchildren.”
EVENING WEAR
"Een pak is altijd tijdloos, maar de felle kleur maakt het extra hedendaags en geeft een boost van zelfvertrouwen.”
MONIQUE VAN HOLDERBEKE
MIDWIFE AT 'HET BEVALLIGE BUIKJE'
Inspiring Women is an ode to women who write their own stories every day; brimming with personality, passion and style. We put a few of these strong women in the spotlight every season, sharing their inspiring stories, what drives them and their favourite Xandres pieces. This time on the theme of 'Motherhood', and all the aspects that come with it.
From school boards to Pakistan to Het Bevallige Buikje - read midwife Monique's story below.
#xandreswomen
WHO IS MONIQUE?
This year, for the first time, Xandres held an open call, asking our community to submit their personal Inspiring Woman.
From all the entries, we chose Monique - midwife, mum and grandma at heart. She was nominated by her daughter, as she supports the power of other women with her inspiring warmth and sincerity. For 43 years, she has guided young mums through the most beautiful, yet most challenging period of their lives: from becoming pregnant to raising a child. She took her diverse experiences in third-world countries to her work in Belgium, and that remarkable story makes her the ideal match for our Inspiring Women campaign on motherhood.
We spent a day with her at Xandres, and in her own habitat.
COUCH TALK
WITH MONIQUE
HOW DID 'HET BEVALLIGE BUIKJE' START?
"Actually, I first studied nursing, then midwifery. After my studies, I worked for several years in Pakistan, then Congo with my husband, who is a doctor. Leaving there was a difficult decision, but eventually we returned to Belgium to start a family. After my time abroad, I realised that I wanted to assist young mothers in more than just giving birth. I wanted to witness all aspects, from pregnancy to after birth, up close.
That’s why I started Het Bevallige Buikje 20 years ago as an independent midwife. Back then, it wasn’t very common for a midwife to visit women’s homes to support them prenatally and postnatally, and it had a big impact right from the start. A few more midwives joined after two years, and we now have a team of five supporting pregnant women and young mums."
HOW DO YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
"It is such a privilege to be part of such a special period in someone’s life. Pregnant women often have dozens of questions, and our job is to answer them in simple terms and inform them about the reality of being pregnant. It’s not always sunshine and rainbows, and it doesn’t have to be. Acknowledging that makes them feel understood and reassured. We provide the necessary medical and psychological support in the process, but they can also come to us for pregnancy yoga, for example. We only ‘let go’ of the women we support when we feel they no longer need us and can manage on their own. "
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT YOUR DAUGHTER ENTERING YOU AS AN INSIPRING WOMAN?
"I am a mother of three daughters and grandmother of six. My eldest daughter entered me, which I think is a great honour. I retired this year, and even though I am very proud that one of my daughters is taking over Het Bevallige Buikje, I am still having a hard time letting go. They saw this Inspiring Women campaign as the ideal end to my career, and the start of a new chapter. They also surprised me with photos, memories and words forwarded by my patients over the years. Now I can literally look back on my career through a wall of beautiful photos."
DO YOU HAVE A MESSAGE FOR OUR #XANDRESWOMEN?
"I think the pressure on young, pregnant women is very high. You have to have a career, be beautiful, beautifully pregnant, you have to keep working during your pregnancy, start again soon after giving birth, and I think that’s a shame. We should give women time to get used to the idea that being pregnant turns your whole life upside down and that it is never like you imagined. Try to enjoy those moments that pass by so quickly, and also give yourself time to get to know your baby. "
Read more about 'Het Bevallige Buikje' via hetbevalligebuikje.be or via Instagram @het_bevallige_buikje.
WATCH THE VIDEO HERE
MONIQUES SELECTION
3 MOMENTS, 3 XANDRES-LOOKS
SHOP MONIQUES FAVOURITES