Episode 11: Healing, Help, and Holding Space, Part 2
An interview with Ingrid Bal, Postpartum Doula
In this second part of our conversation with Ingrid, we delve deeper into her advocacy work with the Postnatal Support Network and her mission to raise awareness about the vital need for support during the first 40 days after birth. Ingrid shares insights from other cultures that honor and prioritize postpartum care, and how these traditions can inspire us to better support new mothers. She also offers practical advice for preparing for the postpartum period, beginning with the simple yet powerful step of inviting and accepting help. We discuss the essential role of rest and nourishment in postpartum recovery, and how setting up support systems ahead of time can make all the difference.
Keywords
doula, postpartum, fourth trimester, postnatal support, kraamzorg, postpartum doula, maternal wellbeing, community
Episode’s main topics
Advocating for postpartum support with the Postnatal Support Network
Practical steps for a smooth transition into motherhood
Resources for new mothers
Resources Mentioned in Today’s Episode
Find Your Village: A birth and postpartum fair
28 June 10:00-17:00
Hotel Campanile Eindhoven
Listen, rate, and subscribe to help more expecting expat families find our show!
About Our Guest
Ingrid Bal is committed to a well-prepared, relaxed maternity period and the often forgotten fourth trimester. The first six weeks is the minimum period the new mother and her family need to recover from childbirth and get used to the new reality of ‘being a parent’. In addition to providing support during the first six weeks to families who prioritise recovery, she works with her foundation Postnatal Support Network on a Postnatal rEvolution where she, together with a collective of multidisciplinary birth organisations, raises awareness and improve policies for the fourth trimester.
Her knowledge covers a broad but also deep range of different techniques including maternal nutrition, massages, rituals and abdominal closures, as well as the recent deepening of ‘Birth Story Listener’ a listening and conversation technique from her mentor Pam England (US). Her ‘backbone’ is formed by her personal practice in and study of Kundalini Yoga where she completed her level 1, 2 and Teacher Trainer training. In her working life, she gained knowledge and experience as a hostess (SVH Gastronomy) and communications and press manager at Philips Electronics. She is married, has two sons, is a passionate gardener and studies the healing properties of herbs.
www.revolution.postnatalsupportnetwork.com
Get in Touch
Expecting Together Pregnancy and Postpartum Meetup You can find us each month at our pregnancy and postpartum meetup where we help you build your community, make friends, and answer all of your pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding, and postpartum questions! More info at pregnantineindhoven.com
Julianna Feron
Website: juliannaferon.com
Instagram: @julianna_feron
Anna Latham
Website: empoweredbirthservices.nl
Instagram @empowered.birth.services
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Schedule a FREE call to see how I can best support you at https://calendly.com/empoweredbirthservices/30min
