fertility | pregnancy | postpartum
Whether you are trying to conceive, pregnant, going through a miscarriage, or have just given birth: your body, energy and state of mind ask for a different kind of attention. I would be glad to guide you with Ayurvedic consultations, herbs and treatments.
In Ayurveda, a healthy conception is seen as the coming together of two elements: a well-prepared field (Kshetra) and a healthy seed (Bija). The "field" is the nourishing ground the body offers: the quality of the tissues, the balance of the doshas, and the degree of inner calm and stability. The "seed" stands for the vitality of the reproductive tissue in particular: the quality of egg and sperm together. By giving attention to nutrition, lifestyle and balance in this phase, you lay the foundation for fertile ground from which new life can arise.
Your first consultation has two parts. First, an intake conversation in which we go into your health, menstrual cycle and habits in depth. Here I try to understand your personal dynamics. (A partner is, now or later, very welcome too.)
About a week later we meet again, and I explain my recommendations on nutrition, lifestyle, movement, recipes, daily routine and, where suitable, Ayurvedic supplements (herbal medicine).
· intake – 75 minutes – in the studio / online, Dutch / English
· advice – 30 minutes – in the studio / online
cost of intake plus advice (105 minutes): €160
fertility
pregnancy
treatments during pregnancy
Massage is an integral part of Ayurvedic prenatal care. The second trimester, from week 13, is the best time to start receiving massages regularly.
Ayurveda has an age-old tradition of pregnancy massage: with warm oil and a gentle touch (Mrdu), to keep the skin supple, calm the nervous system and support the bond between mother and child. In Ayurvedic pregnancy massage, slow movements from the South Indian tradition are combined with light pressure on specific points (Marma) that support the body's own ability to heal. I use an Ayurvedic oil that is specifically suited to pregnancy. During the treatment I support your body with cushions so that you lie comfortably.
The main effects are: bringing the doshas (vata, pitta, kapha) into balance, better mood and sleep, a lower heart rate and blood pressure, support of lymphatic and venous circulation, relief of pain and discomfort, and tuning in to your body and your baby.
· treatment – 90 minutes: €125
nutrition & lifestyle during pregnancy
Nutrition and lifestyle change a great deal during pregnancy too: your body's needs shift from month to month. Ayurveda looks at what you and your growing baby need in each phase.
During a consultation we talk about how you are doing now, and which nutrition, lifestyle and daily routine suit that. This can be a series of appointments spread across your pregnancy, following the different phases.
· consultation – 60 minutes – in the studio / online, Dutch / English: €90
postpartum & the weeks after birth
Ayurvedic postpartum care at home (or later in the studio): time and space to truly recover after birth.
The period after birth is seen as a time of deep recovery, Sutika Kala, also called the fourth trimester. Because of the physical effort of birth and the "emptiness" that follows in the body, Vata (the element of air and space) naturally increases. This can show up as tiredness, restlessness or an unsteady feeling. Postpartum care offers the opposite: warmth, rest and stability, so that body and mind can gather themselves again.
During a home visit we look closely at how you are doing and choose the treatments that fit. These can include Ayurvedic Postpartum Marma therapy, Belly Binding, Moxa, abdominal, head or foot massage, and castor oil packs.
A session lasts 2 hours (plus ± 30 minutes that I need to set up and clear away). We really take our time: besides the treatment itself there is room to move, to use the toilet, or simply to do nothing for a while.
It helps if, before the birth, we briefly talk about your wishes and I know your due date. Then I can keep space in my agenda and reserve a belly bind for you.
cost:
· 1 home treatment: €210 + parking costs
· 3 home treatments: €600 + parking costs per visit
· belly bind rental: €20 (€100 paid in advance, of which €80 is returned when you hand back the cloth undamaged)
care after a miscarriage
The loss of a pregnancy gets little attention in society, yet it is unfortunately not uncommon. For the person living through it, it is felt deeply in the emotional heart and body. I offer space and attention for whatever you need at that moment. That can be a conversation, a listening ear, or silence during the treatment. What you want to share, and what you don't, is entirely up to you.
This time also asks for physical recovery. Warmth, rest and gentle attention to the belly can help you find your balance again, for example with a nourishing massage or abdominal treatment, adjusted to what you need at that moment. Whether and when a treatment is possible, we look at calmly together, if needed in consultation with your doctor or midwife. Please get in touch if you would like to talk about what is possible for you.
images:
top right and bottom: Marieke Zwart. From: she saw i saw; n.k.g publications, 2025
Maternity care and obstetrics provided at home are part of Dutch cultural heritage. Yet this kind of birth care is under pressure due to budget cuts and staff shortages. This publication shows how indispensable the work of two care professionals in Amsterdam Zuidoost is. From 2023 to 2025, artist Marieke Zwart accompanied them on their home visits, where she recorded intimate acts of care in small rooms using her pencil and her camera.
other paintings: Paula Modersohn-Becker, 1906
photo of pregnant woman: Yvette Jacobs | photo of Belly Bind: Chala Kala
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