Episode 11: Healing, Help, and Holding Space, Part 2
An interview with Ingrid Bal, Postpartum Doula
Postpartum can feel overwhelming—even when you’ve planned for birth. In this episode of Pregnant in the Netherlands, Ingrid Bal, a postpartum doula and advocate with the Postnatal Support Network, shares insights from her decade of experience helping new parents navigate the first months after birth. From building your postpartum village to practical strategies for support, this episode is full of actionable advice, inspiring stories, and a powerful reminder:
👉 You don’t have to do it alone. Support is essential for both parent and baby.
“Postpartum Support Starts Before Birth”
Ingrid emphasizes that postpartum care isn’t just about the weeks after delivery—it begins during pregnancy. She explains:
👉 “You are in an extremely privileged state… you have to realize that you can invite help in.”
From meal trains to trusted postpartum doulas, there are practical ways to prepare your support network before your baby arrives.
Postnatal Support Network: Filling the Gap
Ingrid has spent 10 years working to amplify awareness of postpartum needs through the Postnatal Support Network. She noticed:
Regular birth workers and policymakers often overlook postpartum care
Many mothers face postpartum depression, psychosis, or unresolved physical issues
There’s a gap between birth and long-term postpartum support
Her work includes organizing summits with midwives, researchers, and policymakers to create a collective voice advocating for better postpartum care.
👉 Key takeaway: Collaboration across the birth and postpartum ecosystem is essential to support families effectively.
Lessons from Global Postpartum Cultures
Ingrid draws inspiration from diverse cultural practices:
Indian postpartum traditions: mothers or mothers-in-law support daily massage, cooking, and warmth for the mother and baby
South American rituals: “closing” the pelvic bones and honoring the 40-day postpartum period
👉 Insight: Many cultures prioritize structured support for new mothers—practical, emotional, and physical. Modern parents can learn a lot from these traditions.
Practical Tips: How to Build Your Postpartum Village
1. Invite Help Intentionally
Accept offers of support without guilt
Understand that this isn’t neediness—it’s preparing to nurture both yourself and your baby
2. Create a Meal Train
Use sites like mealtrain.com
Communicate clear instructions: nutrient-dense meals, plenty of fats, avoid raw/air-producing foods
Schedule multiple meals per day if needed
3. Prepare Your Partner
Discuss expectations and roles before birth
Include talking points about meals, household management, and rest
4. Plan for Emotional and Practical Needs
Recognize that some visitors may not be sensitive to your postpartum state
Set boundaries for who comes when—timing matters
Create a structured support plan using guides like Ingrid’s Postpartum Plan Booklet
Heartwarming Stories of Support
Ingrid recalls a family she helped postpartum:
“I cooked warm meals, prepared snacks, made kombucha, set the table… the mother cried with joy. She said, ‘It’s like having a dinner date with my husband in my own home.’ This is why I do this work—it honors the mother’s experience.”
Key Takeaways
Postpartum support is crucial for both parent and baby
You can and should invite help—before and after birth
Meal trains, structured support, and clear communication make a huge difference
Learning from global postpartum practices can enrich your own experience
Boundaries and planning help maintain emotional well-being
Support for Your Postpartum Journey
Whether you’re preparing for your first birth or adding another child to your family, the right support can transform your experience:
Birth Doula Support
Postpartum Doula Care
Breastfeeding Support
Childbirth Education Classes
Connect with Ingrid Bal
Ingrid offers consultations, practical resources, and her Postpartum Plan Booklet. Connect with her here.
What Was Your Biggest Takeaway?
Every family’s postpartum experience is unique.
👉 How will you prepare your support network?
👉 Will you implement a meal train, set boundaries, or talk with your partner beforehand?
Share this episode with your partner or friends—building your postpartum village is a team effort.
