Every Birthing Person Deserves the Luxury of a Postnatal Retreat

Katie Breard was pregnant with her third baby when she first heard about something called a postnatal retreat. Breard, a postpartum fitness specialist, says a lot of her NYC clients were talking about it — and the thought of heading to a place of respite between giving birth and taking your baby home sounded ideal.

Postnatal retreats are designed as a transitional experience for maternal recovery, as well as newborn care and education.

Adding to the intrigue of potentially attending a postnatal retreat for Breard was a challenging recovery period after her second baby was born. "I know the importance of proper recovery time after a C-section," she says, admitting that she struggled to slow down and prioritize her postpartum recovery in the past.

"I already had two toddlers at home and am a really active person," Breard tells POPSUGAR. "So, I knew if I didn't take myself out of my own life, I would never allow myself time to recover."

Sound relatable? Here's everything you need to know about postnatal retreats, including how much they cost, what services are offered, and whether postnatal retreats are really worth it.

Postnatal retreats focus on maternal recovery and self-care by promoting a spa-like, tranquil environment while having access to around-the-clock postpartum care. In a way, these retreats offer a middle ground between being in the hospital and navigating those first days or weeks with a new baby at home. Postnatal retreats are a relatively new concept in the United States, but taking time to bond with your new baby while slowing down to recover from pregnancy, labor, and birth is a common priority in other parts of the world.

"I was born in South Korea, where postpartum care is a cherished tradition; approximately 80% of mothers leverage retreat services," Esther Park, founder of Ahma & Co, a company providing postnatal retreats and other postpartum wellness services based out of Los Angeles, tells POPSUGAR. "It came as a shock to me that we didn't have similar support for mothers in the U.S."

Finding time to tend to your own needs after giving birth can feel impossible, especially if there are older kids at home that need to be cared for, too, in addition to your newborn and yourself. "Postnatal retreats offer several benefits for mothers, partners, and babies," Park says. "In the United States, new mothers are often discharged from the hospital within 24-48 hours after giving birth, leaving them with limited guidance on postpartum recovery and newborn care. This lack of support can result in anxiety and uncertainty during the postpartum period."

Alleviating that anxiety and uncertainty is exactly the purpose of these retreats. "Postnatal retreats are designed to begin after you have been discharged from the hospital, filling in the large gap between medical checkups — most mothers receive their first checkup at 6 weeks," Park explains.

They also allow the new parent the time and space to slow down, heal, relax, and bond with their baby while surrounded by experts who can help navigate any initial struggles.

"Postnatal retreats serve as dedicated havens where they can focus on their recovery and bonding with their newborns without distractions such as household chores, other children, or visitors that she may not quite be ready for," Park continues. "By removing these responsibilities, retreats enable mothers to prioritize self-care and connect with their newborns in a calm and supportive environment before returning home."

According to Boram Postnatal Retreat, located in New York, most parents who are interested in attending a postnatal retreat begin their research at around three months of pregnancy, setting up time to chat with team members, have initial questions answered, and to tour the facilities.

Boram recommends parents secure their spot in the retreat during months 5 and 6 of pregnancy, however, the reservation remains flexible to attempt to line up with the due date. When the baby is born, and the hospital doctors clear both mother and baby for discharge and a solid reservation date is set, the new baby and parent can travel to the retreat to start their stay.

Ahma & Co suggest a similar timeline for setting a reservation by getting in touch at around three months of pregnancy. Once you've booked a reservation, one of their team members, called a dedicated advocate, helps iron out the logistical details. "Once we learn more about you and your plans, our dedicated advocate will work with you and your care provider to plan a seamless transition from the hospital to the retreat after giving birth," the website explains.

The services offered at postnatal retreats differ from each center. Allison Bader, marketing director at Boram Postnatal Retreat in New York, tells POPSUGAR their center offers various services for mom and baby.

"We provide 3 meals a day for mom as well as all supplies needed for postpartum recovery as well as foot and sitz baths. We also have a 24/7 professional staffed nursery for parents to utilize if they choose so they can rest (or just shower!)," she explains. "Education is a huge component of what we do at the retreat."

Other services offered at a typical postnatal retreat can include:

&Breathe is a UK-based postnatal retreat that offers slightly different services, including a "fitness and rehabilitation-focused retreat where you can bring your baby (and partner/husband) along with you to connect as a new family," Clio Wood, women's health advocate, author, and founder of &Breathe tells POPSUGAR. The retreat at &Breathe is considered a family and postnatal retreat that's designed to help the whole family bond, including partners and the new baby's siblings. In order to attend the retreat, your baby needs to be at least six weeks old.

Still, the purpose of each of these retreats is the same: "The emphasis is on you as parents, in particular the mother, to help you shift into this brand new identity," Wood notes.

Just as the services vary, so does the cost of a retreat. According to Boram's website, they offer different packages based on the length of stay. At Boram, a one-week stay rings up to be approximately $5,900, or about $843 per night, out of pocket and without insurance. On average, Boram recommends people stay a minimum of five nights. However, the average time spent at the retreat varies greatly, with some guests staying only for three or up to 40 nights.

Ahma & Co has its first retreat scheduled for later this year, so exact costs are still being finalized. But &Breathe's family & postnatal retreat also offers week-long stays, and the cost ranges from £1250 per adult to £1475 for a family of four, with kids staying at no cost.

In general, attending a postnatal retreat isn't likely covered under insurance. But partial costs may be reimbursable, including the cost of a lactation consultant, breast pumps, parenting classes, CBR classes, or other miscellaneous supplies. Boram, for example, provides guests "with an itemized bill that they can submit to their insurance company for reimbursement for specific non-medical, postnatal and lactation services received during their stay," the FAQ on the website explains.

For Breard, her week-long stay at a postnatal retreat after the birth of her third child was exactly what she needed, and worth the hit to her wallet.

"I often explain it as a wonderful hotel stay where room service includes all things baby support!" she says. "When you leave the hospital after delivering, a million questions come up on the fly (around the clock) that you aren't prepared for, even as a third-time mom! Having support available that first week that you can ask questions of as they come up was a game changer for me."

She "found the 24-hour nursery to be incredibly helpful to allow us some rest to heal after a c-section." Adding: "I also found the lactation specialists and healthy prepared meals helpful."

"I always advise coming with an open mind and a willingness to prioritize yourself, which might sound obvious, but it's ingrained in our motherhood mindset to care for others over ourselves, and that can be a really hard mindset to shift," Wood explains. "You DO deserve care, attention, and rest!"

Wood's not wrong, you deserve all of the above. You deserve the laundry service, spa-like atmosphere, parenting classes, and round-the-clock help if you want it. (And if you can afford it, enjoy!). But we'd be naive not to address the fact that for many people, these postnatal retreats are inaccessible. Our healthcare system isn't set up to prioritize the well-being of all birthing people during pregnancy, let alone the recovery needed after. And for many new parents, the out-of-pocket costs spent after having a baby will be going toward the more basic necessities.