Promoting a 40 Day Postnatal resting and bonding time
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.
About Postnatal Support Network
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-to-be about this special and delicate time after birth. PSN coordinates the demand and response of trained support. It provides training for those interested in becoming post natal ‘helpers’ – carers who can give holistic support during the postnatal period. The network also functions as a platform for sharing personal birth stories. Our network does not replace the need and care for professional medical psychological help.
Read here about the three pillers 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.
Essence of selfless service
“Lifting someone else out of their difficulties, inspiring them, making them smile, giving them hope, cooking them a meal or listening to them is a noble cause. Even if you don’t think of yourself while you offer selfless service to another, you too will feel gratified and comforted. Watching them feel better will make you feel better. So, go out there. Serve someone, anyone.”
– Yogi Bhajan
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.
News & Updates
Read our Newsletter and about upcoming events and a lot more here
IDEAS FOR SELF-CARE
ABHYANGA SELF-MASSAGE with WARM OIL Abhyanga is a traditional Ayurvedic massage. Abhi means “directed towards” and anga means “movement”. Abhyanga is a massage with a generous amount of oil. It synchronizes with and follows the movements of the blood circulation. It...
MY POSTPARTUM
Testimony by new mother Joana Salvador 15/07/2020: Even when everything is going well… and me and my baby are happy and healthy, a visceral feeling of tiredness and frustration comes up. I'm 40 years old and in April 2020 I started my second journey as a mother. The...
Newsletter – Fall 2020
Postnatal Support Network Update - Q2-3/2020Fall Equinox at the Postnatal Support NetworkThe Fall Equinox is here - on September 22, 2020, the Sun stands still, the day is equal to the night. It is time to bow in gratitude for what we have, time to rejoice at the...
Get in Touch
Or Contact our national Coordinators
| Name | Country | |
| Agnieszka Bera | Global | info@shaktidoula.dk |
| Ingrid Bal | Netherlands | charankamalkaur@ingridbal.com |
| Mónica Santos | Portugal | monicaaum@gmail.com |
| Amina Merabet | Spain | amina@madre-selva.com |
| Elsa Martineau | France | elsayogadoula@gmail.com |
| Solène Bourgeois | France | soleneyoga@gmail.com |
| Sofiya H. Angelina Bonde | Denmark | mail@sofiyahenrietta.com |
| Magalie Beantpal Kaur | Switzerland | info@beantpal.ch |
| Catherine Tuchschmid | Switzerland | catherine@gaiaom.ch |
| Patsy Gormley-Steele | UK | satprakashk@gmail.com |
| Vesela Genadieva | Bulgaria | vessy@positivepostpartum.eu |
| Yanitsa Karamarkova | Bulgaria | info@moiatadula.com |