About Annet Coumou

While studying Anthropology and Archeology at the University of Amsterdam I realised I wanted to be more directly involved with people and ‘real life’ and changed to the Midwifery Academy. I never regretted that decision and graduated in 1995. I then worked as a midwife in Amsterdam for more than 20 years. In my last years I shifted my focus to supporting people on a deeper level and a more individual basis.

Pregnancy, delivery and early parenthood are very special life events. It was an absolute honour to be so closely involved in this special time in peoples lives. I was thrilled every time to see women and men growing into their new roles. Alongside this I also saw a lot of fear and insecurity. To a certain extent this is entirely normal and a healthy part of the process. But I saw people struggling beyond what was normal and healthy. What could be a time of wonder and joy then becomes a time of stress and doubt. Because I wanted to be able to do more for people in these circumstances I followed a coachingcourse in 2010. After that I also followed a broader therapytraining and in 2015 was trained by Diana Koster as a ‘deliveryrecoveryspecialist’. That last training means that I am able to use EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) in processing a traumatic delivery.

Since 2017 I no longer practice as a midwife and focus solely on coaching.

I had met Truus Gale years ago and knew about her courses. When she asked me to consider joining her team I was immediately enthused. What her courses aim to do for people from around the globe who are living in the Netherlands fits right into my line of interest and experience!

I live in the centre of Amsterdam with my (South African) husband. Our children are mostly grown up and starting out on their independent life journeys.

If you want to read more about Annet: see this link to her former midwifery practice, please scroll down to coaching: