We Didn't Invent Postpartum Retreats — We're Reviving Them
Across cultures and centuries, the postpartum period has always been sacred. A time for rest, healing, nourishment, and protection. A time when the village shows up, bringing food, rubbing tired feet, wrapping bellies, and holding babies so new parents can sleep. In today’s Western medical model, that care is often missing. But that doesn't mean it never existed. And it’s certainly not a luxury.
At Legacy Postpartum Retreat, we’re reclaiming postpartum rest as a cultural, historical, and revolutionary act.
Ancestral Wisdom Across the World
Around the globe, cultures have long honored the postpartum period with structured, intentional care.
In Nigeria, the Igbo tradition of Ọmụgwọ calls on a mother or mother-in-law to stay with the new parent, preparing healing soups, massaging sore muscles, and teaching newborn care.
In Korea, Sanhujori is a formal 21 to 30 day recovery period after birth, often spent in special care centers called sanhujoriwon, complete with nutrient-rich meals, warm therapies, and hands-on newborn support.
In Mexico and much of Latin America, la cuarentena is a 40 day postpartum rest period in which new mothers are cared for by family and friends, avoiding household work while they regain strength and bond with their babies.
In China, zuo yue zi or “sitting the month” encourages new parents to stay indoors, eat warming foods, and focus solely on recovery.
Even in early American and European societies, the idea of a “lying-in” period was commonplace, a designated time for postpartum rest and limited responsibility.
These practices weren’t considered optional. They were essential. Because healing after birth takes time, tenderness, and togetherness.
What Happened to the Village?
Today, most new parents are discharged from the hospital within 24 to 48 hours of giving birth. Follow-up care is minimal. Meal support is rare. Many families are isolated, under-resourced, and expected to “bounce back” almost immediately. The loss of communal postpartum care is not just sad, it’s dangerous. We are seeing record levels of postpartum depression, anxiety, burnout, and preventable complications, particularly among Black, Indigenous, and LGBTQ+ communities.
At Legacy, we believe postpartum care should be a given, not a gamble. That’s why we’re building something better.
Why We Created Legacy Postpartum Retreat
Legacy Postpartum Retreat is not a trend. It’s a return. We created Legacy to revive what so many cultures already knew: that postpartum is a powerful, tender threshold. And that crossing it should never be done alone.
Our retreats are rooted in this global wisdom. We offer:
Chef-inspired meals rooted in warming, healing foods
Private and communal spaces designed for deep rest and recovery
Wellness offerings like massage, movement, and herbal baths
Infant care support and lactation guidance
Culturally sensitive classes and conversation, because legacy includes every kind of family
And above all, a community that holds you while you heal
Join the Legacy
Whether you're a new parent, a birthworker, a sponsor, or someone who simply believes in better care, there’s a place for you at Legacy. Together, we’re not just offering rest. We’re restoring what was lost. And we’re planting seeds for a future where postpartum healing is honored, accessible, and joyful.
Healing after birth is not a luxury. It’s your legacy.
large family sitting on the steps to the front door, smiling at the camera
