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
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.
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.
Read 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.
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
INTERVIEW WITH MIRJAM HEEMKERK
Photo (c) Mirjam Heemskerk – Gentle Beginnings Get inspired by Postpartum Massage Specialist and Educator Mirjam Heemskerk.A conversation by Charan Kamal Ingrid Bal. Mirjam Heemskerk is a loving mother, Massage Therapist & Natural Women Healthcare...
RENEWED VISION STATEMENT
"The 40 Days - postnatal rest and bonding time for the new mother during the first 40 days after birth - is recognized as a universal human right for every mother and becomes integrated into collective consciousness. We envision mothers birthing humanity with dignity...
Postnatal Support Training
10 - 12 september 2021, Leuven, Belgie of Online Deze driedaagse training is bedoeld voor iedereen (man en vrouw) die gemotiveert is om het verschil te maken voor jonge gezinnen, bijvoorbeeld doula’s, kraamverzorgenden, familieleden/vrienden, ver pleegkundigen,...
Get in Touch
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.
The basic training takes two or three 3 days and is organised all over Europe. You will be asked to do a minimum of 40 hours postnatal service with a family close to your home. Included in your training fee, you will receive a manual and one year membership of our network.
We have a few upcoming events in 2021.
Trainings:
- 21-23 January 2022, Postnatal Doula Training in Handel (in Dutch), the Netherlands (Ingrid Bal, charankamalkaur@ingridbal.com)
- 24 January 2022, Postnatal Massage Training in Den Bosch, the Netherlands (Ingrid Bal, charankamalkaur@ingridbal.com)
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10 Septembre au 21 Novembre, Global Postnatal Doula Training Online in French: Formation Doula Postnatale
Durée : 7 semaines avec une rencontre par semaine:
10/09 10h-12h30
19/09 19h-21h30
08/10 10h-12h30
22/10 10h-12h30
07/11 19h -21h30
19/11 10h-12h30
21/11 19h-21h30Pré requis: Aucun
Comment s’inscrire : https://www.helloasso.com/associations/collectif-materner-la-mere/evenements/formation-doula-postnatale (inscrivez-vous auprès d’Elsa Kiran Gian Kaur à maternerlamere@gmail.com ). - 20-22 May, 2022, Postnatal Doula Training, Kerkom , Belgium (Ingrid Bal, charankamalkaur@ingridbal.com)
- May-June, 2022, Global Postnatal Doula Training Online with Satya Kaur (in English), May 5, 12, 19 and 26, and June 2, 9 and 16 2022 (Beant Devi Kaur, beant@postnatalsupportnetwork.com)
- October 21 - October 23 2022, “ Materner la Mère ” RÉSEAU DE SOUTIEN POSTNATAL , Lieux : Iles de France ( Elsa Kiran Gian Kaur, maternerlamere@gmail.com )
- Vendredi 13, samedi 14, dimanche 15 octobre 2023, 9h00-18h00, FORMATION EN SOUTIEN POSTNATAL, MATERNER LA MÈRE SUISSE ROMANDE, À Présilly, en Savoie à 15 minutes de Genève leterroir.net, SUPPORT NE WORK ATAL Postnatal Support Network Avec l'organisation internationale "Materner la mère - Suisse romande" Formation organisée par l'association
@maternerlamere_suisseromande
- 30th of November, 2nd and 4th of December, 2022, POST ABORTION Doula Support Training, ONLINE & LIVE(Beant Devi Kaur, info@postnatalsupportnetwork.com)
- January - February 2023, ONLINE GLOBAL TRAINING: Postnatal Doula for the Immediate Post-partum & Beyond with Satya Kaur : 15, 22 & 29 January, 5 & 12 February 2023 (Beant Devi Kaur, beant@postnatalsupportnetwork.com)
- Mars 10-12 2023 en français, en Savoie, à 15 minutes de Genève, possibilité de dormir sur place, avec Eric Amrit Kaur.Info et inscription: formationsoutienpostnatal@gmail.com ou Catherine Tuchschmid – 0041795094734
- DEVENEZ "Doula Postnatale - La Fenêtre de 40 jours": Pour le post-partum immédiat et au-delà. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Mai et 6/13 Juin. INSCRIPTION: contact Kiran Gian, maternerlamere@gmail.com ou (33) 0640849118
- 8, 10,12th of November, 2023, POST ABORTION Doula Support Training, ONLINE & LIVE(Gurujot Kaur, gurujot@quinta-do-rajo.pt )
- POSTNATAL SUPPORT TRAINING _ NEW FORMAT,
Janurary- February - March 2024, Location:Vught, Netherlands, language: Dutch, Ingrid Bal via ingrid@postnatalsupportnetwork.com
Connect & Blossom Meetings (for PSN trained Postnatal Doulas)
- March 2, 2022
- April 14, 2022
- June 14, 2022
- September 12, 2022
- October 25, 2022
- December 8, 2022
Postnatal Research Summit Online
26-28 March 2021
18-20 March 2022
If interested, please get in touch with the local organizers. Looking forward to experiencing a new insight on how to mother, mothers with you!
Or you can participate in the Postnatal Support module from our partnering trainings The Mother’s Journey with Satya Kaur or Yoga Doula School with Gurujagat Kaur
Keep an eye on our pages on Facebook and LinkedIn for updates and news!
Pauline DubromezOr 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 | International Coordinator | elsayogadoula@gmail.com |
| Pauline Dubromez | France | courriel.doula@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 |