What's in the doctor´s bag of Fatima and Salma - founders of midwifery practice Amanah

In this blog, we take a look inside the doctor's bag and the life of inspiring VanVeer owners. This time, we chatted with Fatima and Salma, founders of the Midwifery Practice Amanah in Houthalen, Belgium. Fun fact: they both have exactly the same VanVeer doctor’s bag!

1. Let´s get straight to the point. What's in both of your VanVeer bags?

Fatima: In my VanVeer, I carry the material I need for my home visits to mothers who have just given birth, such as a blood pressure monitor, gloves, and wound care materials. Basically everything I need for a postnatal home visit. During pregnancy, they come to our practice for prenatal consultations.

Salma: In my bag, I also carry a weighing cloth and a handy box with blood-taking material.

2. Tell us, what do your VanVeer bags look like?

Fatima: My colleague Salma and I have the exact same bag. We didn't have to think long about the design; we knew that we wanted to go for the sad beige aesthetic. After all, this fits our practice and brand style perfectly. Because the bags are so pretty, we took professional pictures with them. Thanks to the chosen design, the overall look and feel is just right.

Salma: I knew right away that we needed a simple and timeless bag, one that radiates 'calm' and that fits perfectly with our brand style. Since you can design your own bag virtually in 3D, I put ours together and immediately fell in love with the design.

3. What new VanVeer product/item do you think really needs to be added to the collection?

Fatima: I would love to see different sizes and styles of the Removable Organizer so we can divide and organize our doctor bag in a way that is most efficient for us.

Salma: I think it would be useful to develop a bag (like the Zipper Pouch) in which a digital blood pressure monitor and Doppler or, for example, our wound care equipment fits. So slightly larger than the Zipper Pouch, for example in a square or block-shaped design.

4. You founded Midwifery Practice Amanah together. What makes this practice unique, and what is each of your roles in it?

Fatima: Midwifery Practice Amanah is unique because we see each woman as an unique individual. It revolves around her wishes and needs, whether she wants a medical, natural or a combination of both approaches. We fully support her choice and make sure she has all the information she needs to make her own decisions. In addition, we provide an environment where Muslim women feel comfortable because of our shared vision and cultural background. As a co-founder and midwife, I ensure that every woman gets the care and support she needs.

Salma: At Midwifery Practice Amanah, we strive to create an inclusive healthcare environment. We stand for equal treatment and respect for every woman who receives our care. We strongly believe in science based practices, and we want to create an environment where every woman feels empowered to make informed decisions about her health and that of her baby.

5. If you could change one thing in midwifery, what would it be?

Fatima: I would like women to be better informed about what a midwife can do for them. Many women don't discover until late that they can call on a midwife in the early stages of pregnancy. Even for conception, they can come to us, but this is often not known. It's a pity because like this, many women miss out on the care they could have had.

Salma: It would be a dream come true for me as a midwife if our vision of Midwifery Practice Amanah can come to fruition. This means no unequal treatment; each woman must receive the right, science-based care, based on her own frame of reference.

6. What do you think other practices could do today (or, okay, tomorrow) to make healthcare more diverse and inclusive?

Fatima: A lot has already been improved, such as a better representation of diverse backgrounds in educational materials and also on social media this is taken into account. Practices can go further by offering inclusive training and awareness to their staff so that all clients feel welcome and understood.
It's also beneficial to contact other practices that are diverse or inclusive; we can all learn from each other. You don't have to know everything, asking for help is okay.

Salma: To make healthcare more diverse and inclusive, other practices could put more effort into culturally sensitive care. For example, they can provide caregivers with training to understand other cultures, including religious needs and customs, so that they can incorporate this into their care. As well as more people of different backgrounds, skin colour, and religion within their care institution. It is important that society is reflected in the different care institutions.

7. What is your motivation to contribute to this?

Our motivation is the belief that every woman has the right to the best possible care, regardless of her background or preferences. We want to contribute to an inclusive environment where everyone feels heard and supported. Becoming a mother is a vulnerable period, and the last thing you want is to feel excluded.

8. What future plans are still in your bags?

Fatima: Our new website is coming online soon, and we are looking forward to a new training we can do. We are always trying to update and innovate, but we are not done yet!

Salma: We are a practice that is busy with a thousand and one things, so we still have a lot of future plans in the drawer. Our website has just been finished (www.amanah.be), which is definitely worth a visit!

9. What message would you like to give to (future) midwives?

Always keep learning and developing; be empathetic and listen to the wishes and needs of your clients. The impact you can have on their lives is huge, as long as you don't put yourself at the front, but your client.

Fatima and Salma make a difference by advocating for equal treatment at Midwifery Practice Amanah, where every woman receives the care and support she needs. Visit www.amanah.be or follow them on Instagram @vroedvrouwenpraktijkamanah.

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Would you like to design your own doctor's bag just like Fatima and Salma? Read here to learn how it works and click here to start right away with the 3D Design Tool.