Loving Care in the Post Partum period
WHAT IS POST PARTUM
The post partum (or post natal) is period in time, that starts after birth. Traditionally the first 40 days, were seen as a sacred window(Ayurveda), a time period during which the gross of physical and emotional recovery takes place and during which rest and recovery is especially important.
In our society the most attention is given to the new baby and we forget that after a birth, the new mother has also been born. Post Partum in the Netherlands is seen as the week during which the new mother recieves Kraamzorg and is also referred to as "the kraam week."
This life changing transition from woman to mother requiers time and rest. New mothers are just as vulnerable as a new born babies and deserve the same love and attention. Their needs are virtually the same, gentle care and nourishment. But within them also lies tremendous power and being seen, heard and validated makes them grow in confidence, trust their instincts. To be able to care for the new baby, the new Mum deserves to be cared for herself. Her cup needs to be filled and that has to be the priority. Holding space for her is crucial.
Becoming a mother in a country and culture that is not your own, where you don't have a network might be a lonely and overwhelming experience.
It adds an extra dimention to the already intense transition into motherhood. I saw this first hand in my mother and father and have made it one of my life's missions to support new parents in this period in this predicament. Post Partum not only the first fourty days but the entire period you transition, where you go through the ups and downs and adjust to a new life as a parent.
As a Post Partum Doula with now close to three years experience i support the new mother and family in practial, emotional, spirutual and physical ways ALL the way through the first year.
I am a member of the Postpartum Massage Nederland collective of loving post partum practitioners.
First Session at your home
castor oil belly wrap
head/neck/shoulder massage
Fourth Session at the practice
•Restorative moxa treatment
•Abdominal and pelvic massage
Fifth Session at the practice
• Full body massage
•Nurturing body wrap
•Blessing for motherhood
You can make use of my services in different ways.
in blocks of min. 4 hours
Cooking of nutritious meals
Foot baths, sitzbaths
Support in handling your baby
Support in gaining confidence as a new parent
Relaxation Meditation / Breathwork / Affirmations
Tips & Tricks about life as a new Mom in Utrecht
Local References
2 belly binding sessions €200
Belly Bind of 17m
Instructions of self binding
Loving binding of your belly
soft belly massage
Castor oil packs
Moxa - warming and energising treatment from the Traditional Chinese Medicine tradition
Various possibilities for extra treatments
/ 250 euro for 3x
In the comfort of your home
60min pure relaxation
carefully chosen organic massage oil and aromatherapy oil to keep.
/ 175 euro for 3x
At my practice BirthSpace on Burgemeester Verderlaan 19 in Hoge Weide Leidsche Rijn. Utrecht
Overnight support is available as well! please contact me for more information.
I can put together a support services package that works just right for your family's situation.
Bengkung Bellybind comes from Malaysian post partum tradition, in Malaysia womens belly's are bound during the first 40 days after the birth of their baby..
The belly bind is a 17 meter long pure cotton fabric which is used to bind the new mothers belly
The belly bind gives support to the empty belly which housed life for 9 months. The belly now has a lot air and emptiness. To bring everything back together again through the fabric holding it all close recovery might be aided. It helps you in your posture, which especially during breastfeeding might get neglected.
The support the belly bind offers is not only physicial. After the birth many women express that they feel very "Open". A belly bind acts as a literal and metaphorical hug and helps you feel whole again and protected in your openness from the outside world.
Rebozo Closing Ritual
Together with my dearest wam and loving colleagues Anita Dobre and Karina Vos, we support women in this 3 hour long ritual which marks
the right of passage of the new mother.
The rebozo closing ritual (know as well as "Closing of the Bones" stems from the Mexican Cerrada tradition,
the 40 day confinement period after the birth of a child, but ritual "closing" of the new mother
is seen in cultures all around the world. From the Middle East to Asia, to traditional pagan traditions.
It marks the ending of an important transitional period for the woman.
Her pregnancy and the birth of her child, and of her new self. The woman who has given birth will now go into the world
caring for her baby and for herself
is surrounded and embraced by love of other women, mothers, with the fabric of the rebozo shawls.
I highly recommend this fantastic TED talk by Alexandra Sacks MD about the transition to motherhood.