Promoting a 40 Day Postnatal resting and bonding time
OUR VISION: Postnatal Rest and Bonding time for the new mother during the first 40 days after birth becomes an institution and a basic human right for every mother. We envision mothers birthing humanity with dignity and receiving full support for at least 40 days after birth. We see postnatal support as becoming an integral part of national and international policies, and being reimbursed by health insurance.
About Postnatal Support Network
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The Postnatal Support Network (PSN) promotes the importance of a well-prepared and relaxing 40-day postnatal period, connects families and postnatal doulas, trains professionals and builds bridges. PSN is an international organization with a nonmedical and social network, dedicated to raising awareness and educating the larger public on the importance of postnatal rest and care. PSN coordinates the demand and response of trained support via a postnatal doula directory. The Network provides professional training for those interested in becoming postnatal doulas – carers who can give holistic support during the postnatal period.
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PSN generates research with the purpose to demonstrate clearly the health and societal benefits of a prolonged rest and care during the postnatal period as an efficient prevention of PN depression and the cortège of family dysfunction that comes along with this. As a Network, PSN is committed to building bridges and connecting professionals in the field.
We believe that postnatal care can no longer remain isolated as a personal issue. The way we take care of newborn mothers affects the entire society and must find its priority place high on the political agendas of every country. The Postnatal Support Network commits to engage colleagues, birth workers, healthcare workers, insurance companies, policies governing maternal and paternal paid leave, local, national and international governments and organizations in the realization of this profound and necessary change.
PSN promotes the official recognition of postnatal doula as a profession, and further recommends that national’s health ministries create postnatal doulas trainings, thus subsidizing the postnatal help for all mothers, independently of their financial situation.
Learn here about the three pillars our work is based on and who we are, and how we work.
After delivery not only does it take the new mother around 6 weeks to heal from the intensity of labour, it takes at least this period of time to get familiar with her new role as mother. It’s essential to understand that these first few weeks establish important and delicate patterns that will affect the individual and families for decades.
For this reason it is of utmost relevance to ask and receive help during this “4th trimester”.
Diet & Recipes
Our guidelines are based on general yogic principles combined with universal traditional knowledge, scientific research and eco logic.
How to Organize
Your postnatal support needs to be organised well in advance. If possible, it should be done around the 33rd week of pregnancy.
Postnatal Doula Directory
We have our trained Postnatal Doulas, specializing in various postnatal care aspects in most European Countries.
The Postnatal Support Network organises Helpers training all over Europe. This training gives both ancient and contemporary knowledge and practical techniques on the 40-day recovery time.
Training
This training is set up for anyone who is interested in making an important difference in the life of young families. Health workers, doulas, yoga teachers, grandmothers and young women who are inspired to learn more about the techniques and would like to serve in a dedicated way and has considerable time and flexibility.
Why postnatal support
Being born and giving birth are two of the most impactful events in a woman’s lifetime. After giving birth, not only does it take the new mother around 6 weeks to heal from the physical impact of labour, but also it takes at least this period of time for her to settle into her new role as mother. Stress during the first weeks post labour can contribute to difficulties with breastfeeding, impede the healing of the womb, lead to issues with bonding between mother and child or experiences of postnatal depression. Families need to understand that this important and delicate time establishes patterns that will affect the individual and families for many years to come.
Principles of a 40 day resting period
The period of pregnancy lasts 9 months and it takes at least 9 months to physically recover from the pregnancy and labour. Longer, if a woman breastfeeds long-term. From a psychological perspective there are some important things to be considered from the very beginning of the postnatal period:
1. Take it easy.
2. Take your time.
3. Enjoy your little baby.
4. The world does not understand your bliss – therefore, ignore the world for a while.
Physiology of the postnatal mother and child
Join our training to know more
Postnatal rituals, bed sharing, massage and baby bundling.
Join a postnatal doula training with PSN to learn about different rituals, massage techniques and baby bundling.
Cooking and recipes
Some Recipe ideas
- Soups, of all kinds; add rice and pasta into the pot as a carbohydrate
- Mung beans / chickpeas with rice and vegetables
- Fried vegetables with sesame oil and tamari
- Rice noodles with vegetables and coriander
- (Spelt or wholegrain) pasta with basil
- Miso soup, potatoes and dill
- Guacamole rice crackers
- Cous-cous salad
Join a training or become a member to learn more about postnatal cooking.
The Postnatal Service, the attitude and what kind of support.
Join our training to know more.
Membership
Become a member of our Network
Friends
For families and supporters- Periodic newsletter
- Invitation of group meetings
PSN Trained Professionals
For Doulas and Midwives trained by PSN- Periodic newsletter
- Invitation to group meetings
- Listing in the directory
- Access to closed support group community
- Training videos
- File sharing support such as yearly reports.
- * Training price is not included in the 25 euros. With every training, the first year access to the site is free and then it’s 25 Euros per year.
- Existing members can click here to extend their membership.
Postnatal Professionals
For Professional Doulas and Midwives- Periodic newsletter
- Invitation to group meetings
- Listing in the directory
- Access to closed support group community
Contact our National Coordinators
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Name |
Country |
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Vesela Genadieva |
Bulgaria |
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Yanitsa Karamarkova |
Bulgaria |
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Agnieszka Bera |
Denmark |
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Sofiya H. Angelina Bonde |
Denmark |
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Pauline Dubromez |
France |
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Ingrid Bal |
Netherlands |
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Milagros Virasoro |
Portugal |
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Catherine Tuchschmid |
Switzerland |
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Magalie Beantpal Kaur |
Switzerland |
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Patsy Gormley-Steele |
UK |
The Postnatal Support Network (PSN) addresses the importance of a well-prepared and relaxing 40 day postnatal period. It is an international organisation with a non-medical and social network, informing families and especially mothers about this special and delicate time after birth.